NEWBERRY, SC - The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball team dropped to 1-3 on Wednesday night, falling in a tight 61-53 contest at Newberry. Leading 42-41 heading into the fourth, the Bears shot just 2-12 in the final frame, compared to 7-13 for the home side. Sophomore Alexandra Merceron continued her strong start to the season, scoring a career high 18 points in the contest. 

 INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Newberry 61, Lenoir-Rhyne 53
Records: Newberry (2-3, 1-0 SAC) , Lenoir-Rhyne (1-3, 0-2 SAC)
Location: Newberry, SC | Eleazer Arena

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Lenoir-Rhyne was on fire to starting, going up 8-0 on buckets from Blaikley Crooks, Maleiya Hill, and Emily Harman. 
• Newberry outscored the Bears 15-5 to close the quarter.
• Alexandra Merceron tied things up at 15-15 a minute and a half into the second quarter, but Newberry answered with a 7-0 run.
• Merceron scored the final four points of the half for the Bears as they went into the break down just 24-22. 
• The Bears came out and quickly took the lead thanks to buckets from Gabby Bush and Tilda Lindstrom.
• The teams went back-and-forth over the course of the quarter, but a late three by Crooks gave LR a 42-41 lead heading into the fourth.
• There was a cover on the rim in the fourth, as the Bears made just two shots, both off the hands of Merceron. 
• Alexandra Merceron nearly notched a double double, finishing with 18 points and nine boards. 
• Blaikley Crooks led with three assists and three steals.
• LR shot just 19-58 (32.8%) from the field and 5-17 (29.4%) from three.
• Newberry shot 24-52 (46.2%) from the field and 5-14 (35.7%) from three. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Lenoir-Rhyne leads the all-time series 36-28.
• Merceron's 18 points is the most by a Bear in a game this year. 
• Newberry's Jess Tomkins led all scorers with 21 on the night.

UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will continue their road trip to open the season on Saturday as they head to Emory, Virginia, to take on the Emory & Henry Wasps. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m.