Hickory, N.C.-- The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Team had five players in double figures led by 19 from Blaikley Crooks but the visiting Francis Marion Patriots defeated the Bears 76-73 on Tuesday evening. Andrea Torres and Mikeba Jones each had 14 points off the bench while Emily Harman had 11 and Jalen Gathers had 10. The Bears fall to 2-2 on the season as LR will open a three-game road trip on Sunday. 

GAME INFORMATION:
Final: Francis Marion 76,  Lenoir-Rhyne 73
Records: Francis Marion (2-2) . Lenoir-Rhyne (2-2) 
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena

STATS AND INFO:

• This is Francis Marion first trip to Hickory since 2009.
• Bears still hold a 3-2 all-time record against the Patriots
• Francis Marion opened their season with four straight games against SAC schools. 
• LR on the other hand is playing their second of four straight games against Conference Carolinas schools. 

FIRST HALF:

• The game was tied 11-11 with 3:25 left to go in the opening quarter when the Bears went on a 9-2 run to close the quarter. Bears shot 47% in the opening ten minutes.
• Bears were still up seven with 2:09 left to go in the first half when the Patriots went on a quick 8-0 run to take the lead. After Francis Marion took the lead with :44 seconds left in the half, Harman split a pair of free throws to tie it at 38-38 heading into halftime. 
• Torres hit two of her game-high four three-pointers in the second quarter. 

SECOND HALF:

• Patriots opened up a five point lead on four different occasions in the third quarter but layup's by Maleiya Hill, Jones and Crooks gave the lead back to the home team with 1:56 left in the quarter. 
• However, it would be the last lead the Bears would have on the night as Trinity Delaney scored with :59 left in the third quarter to give Francis Marion the lead back for good. 
• After a old-fashion three point play by Patriot's Lauryn Taylor to open the 4th quarter stretched the lead to four, the Bears could not cut the lead into one possession until Harman's three pointer at the buzzer cut it to 76-73. 

BEYOND THE BOX SCORE:

• Bears had 30 bench points tonight lead by Torres' and Jones's 14 points each. 
• Jones, Crooks and Tilda Lindstrom each had seven rebounds for the Bears.
• Jones also went a perfect 6-6 from the charity strip. 
• Bears shot 47% in the first quarter and 38% in both the second and third quarter but went cold from the floor (23%) in the final period. 

UPNEXT: Bears will hit the road for a three game swing starting with a trip to UNC Pembroke on Sunday. Tip-off is scheduled for 5:00 PM.