HICKORY, N.C. -- Lenoir-Rhyne ran its winning streak to three games with a 73-65 victory over Limestone on Saturday night. Jalen Johnson led the Bears with 19 points as LR held the Saints to just 20 first-half points. 

GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 73, Limestone 65
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (7-14, 6-12 SAC) I Limestone (9-12, 7-11 SAC)
Location: Shuford Gymnasium

STATS AND INFO:
- This is the first 3-game winning streak on the season for the Bears who split the season series with the Saints
- The Bears now sit one game behind Limestone in the conference standings and one game out of the eighth-spot in the SAC
- Limestone came into the game outscoring opponents by just two points on the year

FIRST HALF:
- Both teams slogged through the first half with LR holding a narrow 21-20 advantage with a minute to play
- The Bears got a 3-pointer and then a three-point play to grab momentum at the end of the half and went into the break up 27-20
- Despite the low scoring total, LR shot 50 percent in the first half and held the Saints to 8-of-23 shooting
- Johnson had eight points in the first half and LR forced the Saints into 12 first-half turnovers

SECOND HALF:
- Limestone cut the lead to four with 9:06 to play but a 13-2 run pushed the LR advantage to 56-41 with 4:38 left
- The Saints would respond by cutting LR's lead to 56-49 with 2:45
- However, the Bears would ice the game at the free-throw line, going 13-of-15 in the second half
- T.J. Nesmith had 12 of his 13 points in the second half and went 6-of-9 from the field

ABOUT THE BEARS:
- Johnson would go 7-of-8 from the charity stripe and had four assists and two steals to go with his 19 points
- Tyson had 11 points and hit four free throws in the final minutes of the game and added four assists and three boards
- Tim Steele was a perfect 3-of-3 from the field and had seven points and three boards off the bench

NOTABLE SAINTS:
- Ben Gahlert just missed a double-double with 19 points and nine rebounds
- Isayah Owens had 17 points and hit 5-of-12 from long range
- Stephen Edoka was 5-for-8 from the field and had 12 points and five rebounds

UP NEXT: The Bears return to action on Wednesday when they host Catawba.