GREENWOOD, SC - Lenoir-Rhyne droped their first game of the season on Sunday, falling 70-54 to the host Lander. Emily Harman and Alexandra Merceron combined for 22 points and five rebounds for the Bears in the loss. The Bears will begin SAC play next weekend at Carson-Newman. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lander 70, Lenoir-Rhyne 54
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne 1-1, Lander 1-1
Location: Greenwood, SC | Finis Horne Arena

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Bears and Bearcats ended a low-scoring first quarter in a 9-9 tie.
• Each team shot below 27% in the 1st quarter and combined for 23 rebounds.
• Maleiya Hill's go-ahead layup in the 2nd quarter to make it 11-9 was the last lead the Bears had for the rest of the game. 
• Lander outscored Lenoir-Rhyne 16-10 in the 2nd quarter and led 25-19 at halftime. 
• The Bearcats came out firing in the third quarter, shooting 59.1% from the field, eventually leading by as much as 23.
• The fourth quarter was LR's best, as they outscored the Bearcats 19-14 and shot 53.8% from the field in the frame.
• Bearcats dominated the rebound game with 49 total rebounds (17 offensive - 32 defensive).
• Lenoir-Rhyne forced 24 turnovers, scoring 25 points off those Bearcat mistakes. 
• Six players for Lenoir-Rhyne played over 20 minutes in the contest.
• Bears shot 3-15 (20%) from beyond the arc and 21-56 (37.5%) from the field.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Bears still lead the all-time series 7-6 against the Bearcats. 
• Alexandra Merceron has produced 28 points and 8 rebounds in her first two games in the PBC/SAC challenge.
• Bears have scored 40% of their points this season off turnovers.  

UP NEXT: The Bears will travel to Carson-Newman to face the Eagles in their SAC opener next Saturday. Carson-Newman is coming off back-to-back victories in the PBC/SAC Challenge after defeating USC-Aiken 103-68 earlier today. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.