Mount Olive, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team suffered this first setback of the year as the Bears fell to Mount Olive 70-63 on the road on Wednesday.  TJ Nesmith lead the Bears with 13 points while Jalen Johnson (11) and Salle Wilson (10) joined Nesmith in double figures on the afternoon. The Bears will look to regroup when they returned to the Shu Saturday against Converse. 

GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Mount Olive 70, Lenoir-Rhyne 63
Records: Mount Olive (2-5), Lenoir-Rhyne (3-1)
Location: Mount Olive, N.C. | Kornegay Arena

STATS OF THE GAME:
- LR made more free throws (23) than field goals (19) in the contest as the Bears shot a season-low 38% from the field. Bears also struggled from long range only hitting 2-14 (14.3%)  from three. Bears came into the game 37.5% from deep (27/72).
- Mt. Olive started red hot on their home floor as the Trojans jumped out to a 9-0 lead including two three-pointers by Michael Brown. 
- Bears get cut the lead to one possession late in the first half but four straight points to end the half by the Trojans's Shane Peterson gave Mt. Olive a six point lead at the intermission. 
- Mt. Olive hit their first three shots from long range to open the second half to open a thirteen point lead with 17:29 left to go. Trojans in total hit 10-30 from long range in the game.
- Bears made their push to try to take their first lead of the game cutting the score to 51-50 with 7:05 but then Nesmith was whistled for two straight fouls in six seconds which sent him to the bench with four fouls as Mt. Olive scored eight of the next twelve points to grow the lead back to five. 
- LR got the score back to one possession after a L.J. McCoy three with 1:03 but Mt. Olive hits four from six from the free-throw line in the final minute to give the Bears their first loss of the season. 
 
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE: 
- This was the first meeting between programs since the 2011 season. 
- The all-time series is now tied at five. 
- Eight Bears had at least three rebounds but no one had more than four (Nesmith).
- Hamilton Campbell lead the Bears with four assists on the afternoon.  

UP NEXT:  LR will return home with a matchup vs Converse inside the Shu. Tip-Off is schedule for 4:00 PM.