HICKORY, N.C.-- A pair of free throws and a late defensive stand sent Columbus St. past Lenoir-Rhyne in Shuford Arena on Tuesday night. The Bears led 62-61 when Demierre Black hit a pair of free throws with 24 seconds to go and the Cougars forced a turnover on LR's final possession to earn the regional victory.
GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Columbus St. 63, Lenoir-Rhyne 62
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (4-2), Columbus St. (3-2)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena
STATS OF THE GAME:
- T.J. Nesmith came off the bench to score 18 points on 6-of-9 shooting and added a season-high five rebounds.
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L.J. McCoy had 12 points and went 3-for-5 from long range while hitting all three of his free throws.
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Nas Tyson had 10 points and five boards and
Jalen Johnson had eight points, eight assists and five rebounds.
- Lenoir-Rhyne survived an early onslaught as Columbus St. as the Cougars hit their first three 3-pointers and scored 14 points in the first 4:08 to lead 14-3.
- LR battled back and took a 26-24 lead on three free throws from McCoy. The half would end with the Cougars holding a 32-29 lead.
- The Bears took a 57-52 lead on a McCoy corner three with 3:35 to go but the Cougars would go on a 9-2 run to take a 61-59 lead with 1:07.
- Johnson converted and and-1 to put LR up 62-61 with 48 seconds. A late foul call on Black's drive to the bucket sent him to the line where he calmly sank a pair to put the Cougars up 1.
- A late LR turnover with under a second to play sealed the deal.
- Black finished with 17 points and Joshua Jerome had 10 points and 10 boards.
BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:
- The lead was never larger than six points in the second half and the lead changed six times.
- This was just the second all-time meeting between LR and Columbus St. and the first since Dec. 18, 2007. LR won that game 72-43.
- McCoy came into the game leading the nation in assists:turnover ratio.
- This was the first home loss of the season for LR.
UP NEXT: LR will return to action with a rivalry game at home against Wingate on Saturday at 4 p.m.
