Hickory, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team improved to 3-0 for the second time in the past four years with a narrow 74-73 victory over Malone on Saturday afternoon. T.J. Nesmith led the Bears with 18 points including two clutch baskets in the final minutes to lead the Bears to the non-conference victory. 

GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 74, Malone 73
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (3-0), Malone (2-2)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena

STATS OF THE GAME:
- The player of the game belonged to the Pioneers' Bo Myers who went off for 40 points on 15-of-26 shooting, including 7-of-14 from long range. It was the first 40 point game for an opposing player against the Bears since Courvoisier McCauley went for 44 on Dec. 18, 2019
- Myers added 12 rebounds but missed a couple late free throws which proved to be pivotal.
- Nesmith finished with 18 points on 8-of-11 shooting and added four boards.
- Nas Tyson had an efficient night with 16 points on 7-of-11 shooting and added three rebounds.
- Jalen Johnson had 14 points and a career-high eight assists and was 3-of-5 from long distance.
- LR went 10-of-21 as a team from long range and hit eight of those triples in the first half.
- Malone stayed in the game with offensive rebounding as they grabbed 18 offensive boards and converted those ino 18 second chance points.
- The Pioneers were down four with 10 seconds as LR missed the front end of a 1-and-1 and hit a three at the buzzer to make it a 1-point margin.  
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 
- This was the first all-time matchup between the two programs. Malone had a 2-game swing in the South and went 0-2 by a combined three points.
- LR most previously was 3-0 to start the 2019-20 season. 
- Johnson is up to an even 350 career points for LR.
- This marks the 1,412th win for LR men's basketball and 78th for Everick Sullivan.

UP NEXT:  LR will return to action on Wednesday when they travel to Mount Olive at 3 p.m.