MURFREESBORO, TN - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's basketball team went off on Saturday, scoring 116 points in a 43-point victory over Clayton State. This was the most points the Bears have scored in a win since they took down Voorhees 116-102 during the 1982-83 season. 

"I'm proud of our group and how they responded to some hard coaching the last two weeks," said head coach Brent Owen. "I thought both of these wins this weekend were true team wins with our depth playing a major factor. I loved our effort on the glass in both games and we did a great job cleaning up the turnovers from Friday to Saturday. This was a glimpse of our potential, but we know we have many areas that still need to improve."

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #19 Lenoir-Rhyne 116, Clayton State 73
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne 2-2, Clayton State 0-2
Location: Murfreesboro, N.C. | Hawks Athletic Center

STORY OF THE GAME

• The Bears started off hot, going up 15 thanks to six points from Conrad Luczynski and a strong dunk from Sam Martin.
• Lenoir-Rhyne got hot from three, as two threes from Tyler Burraston and one from Junior Hodnett put the good guys up 26-10. 
• The Lakers cut the lead to 12 before another Burraston three and two buckets from Akili Evans extened the lead back to 19. 
• Martin tipped two buckets in late to give the Bears a 54-33 halftime lead.
• Lenoir-Rhyne pushed their lead to 30 (74-44) five minutes into the half thanks to a layup from Keyishon Miller. 
• That lead was extened to 40 (93-53) just five minutes later after Burraston hit his sixth and final three of the game.
• Seth Reed closed the game out with Lenoir-Rhyne's 15th three of the game. 

STATS OF THE MATCH:

• Sam Martin nearly notched a double-double with 20 points and nine boards.
• Tyler Burraston (18), Blessin Kimble (13), Conrad Luczynski (10), and Akili Evans (10) joined Martin in double figures. 
• Evans led with four assists while Amarion Savage picked up two steals.
• As a team the Bears shot 46-75 (61.3%) from the field and 15-29 (51.7%) from three.
• Clayton State was just 25-61 (41%) from the field and 6-26 (23.1%) from behind the arc. 
• The Bears dominated the paint once again, outscoring the Lakers 62-26. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Lenoir-Rhyne is now 3-3 all-time against the Lakers. 
• Sam Martin tied the school record for most made baskets without a miss (10-10).
• Every player who got in for the Bears scored. 
• This was the most threes Lenoir-Rhyne has hit in a game since they made 17 against Coker in January of 2023. 

UP NEXT: The Bears will be back in the 'Shu next week when they play host to the Lenoir-Rhyne Classic. On Friday, November 21st the Bears take on West Virginia State, and on Saturday they play Lee. 

"Our players are excstatic to get to Shuford Arena on Friday and Saturday and play in front of some loud and proud Bears fans! Show up, show out, and invite your friends!"