WINGATE, NC - Facing an upset minded Wingate squad, Ziare Wells and Hantz Louis-Jeune combined for 44 points and 18 rebounds to lead the Bears to an 82-77 victory. Lenoir-Rhyne sweeps the season series against the Bulldogs for the first time since the 2008-2009 season. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #16 Lenoir-Rhyne 82, Wingate 77
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (17-3, 14-2 SAC), Wingate (8-9, 7-8 SAC)
Location: Wingate, NC | Cuddy Arena

STORY OF THE GAME

• Each team committed three turnovers in the opening four minutes of play.
• Tay Smith scored six of the first 14 points for the Bears midway through the first half.
• A Gabe Cerda driving layup cut the Wingate lead to three with under eight minutes left in the half.
• Lenoir-Rhyne tied the game at 29-29 after a Ziare Wells layup with under five minutes remaining. 
• Junior Hodnet's three pointer as time expired in the first half cut the deficit to 41-35 entering halftime.
• Wingate controlled the play for the majority of the first half, shooting 17-for-30 (56.7%) from the field and 5-for-11 (45.5%) from the beyond the arc.
• Four Bears made at least three field goals and scored seven points in the first half.
• Hantz Louis-Jeune three pointer cut the Wingate lead to 50-47 in the first seven minutes of the second half. 
• Well's jumper just a minute later gave Lenoir-Rhyne their first lead  since early in the first half.
• Lenoir-Rhyne stretched their largest lead of the game 60-54 after a Louis-Jeune three pointer with 8:54 left.
• A Jordan Miller jumper tied the game for the Bulldogs at 65-65 with under four minutes left in regulation.
• A few and-1's and a big fast break dunk from Tay Smith helped LR extend their lead late.
• Julien Dozier's four made free throws sealed the game late for the Bears.  

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Four Bears finished in double figures in points while Hantz Louis-Jeune finished with a double-double. 
• The Bears shot 28-for-60 from the field (46.7%) and 8-for-20 from beyond the arc.
• Julian Dozier set a season-high in rebounds (8), including five offensive rebounds. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne had a slight advantage in rebounds, 38-36, and led 20-14 in fastbreak scores. 
• Junior Hodnet finished with 16 points, including three made shots from beyond the arc. 
• There were 29 combined turnovers between the two teams, including 19 steals. 
• Wingate shot 13-18 from the free-throw line while Lenoir-Rhyne struggled, going 18-for-31 (58.1%).
• Kendall Taylor led the Bulldogs offensively with 33 points on 9-for-14 from the field. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• The Bears remain tied for first place in the SAC standings after LMU won tonight at home against Mars Hill. 
• Hantz Louis-Jeune produced his fourth 20+ point game and second double-double of the season.
• Ziare Wells registered his eighth 20+ game this year and his second straight game with 7+ boards. 
• LR leads the all-time series 47-33 and have won the last three meetings against Wingate. 

UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne returns home this Saturday with a chance to split the season series with Carson-Newman after falling to the Eagles 105-101 on the road earlier this season. Carson-Newman is coming off a week long break after their 81-79 victory at home against Anderson last Saturday. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 PM ET.