HICKORY, NC - The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball team opened the Emry Tsitouris era with a wire to wire win on the opening day of the SAC/PBC Challenge. The Bears saw 12 players scored in a 79-59 defeat of USC Aiken on Saturday afternoon inside the Shu.

The Bears used a 21-0 run in the opening quarter to cruise to their first win of the season. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 79, USC-Aiken 59
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (1-0), USC-Aiken (0-1)
Location: Shuford Arena | Hickory, NC

STORY OF THE GAME:

• The Bears control the game from the tip as the Pacers did not have one lead in this one.
• After the Pacers tied the game at four, LR went on a 21-0 run in a five minute span to take control of the game, capped off by an Amiya Porter three.
• The Bears took a 47-20 lead into the break and the opened a 30 point lead after Lauren Arnold hit a three to open the second half.
• LR only shot 20% in the third quarter but the Pacers could only cut the lead to 64-39 thanks to some smothering defense from the Bears.
• 73-57 was the closest USC-Aiken would get as the Bears take this one 79-59. 

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Lenoir-Rhyne shot 45% from the floor in their first game of the season, going over 50% in three of the four quarters. 
• LR doubled the Pacers bench scoring as LR got 38 points off their bench, led by 9 from Sarah Burton. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne shot 86% from the charity stripe, going 19-22 from the line.
• Five players had at least five rebounds for the Bears as Abigail Brown and Burton had six. The Bears had a 42-29 advantage on the glass. 
• Elyseia Brown had nine of her game high 14 points in the first half. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• This is the fifth straight year these teams have opened the season up against each other. 
• Bears are now 4-1 in those games.
• 12 of the 13 players Lenoir-Rhyne used scored.
• Carson-Newman and Lander are the other two teams in this weekend SAC/PBC Challenge. 

UP NEXT:  Bears will conclude the opening weekend when they host Lander tomorrow at 2:00 PM.