HICKORY, N.C. - Another day, another 30+ point performance for Aaliyah El. The junior scored 31 points on Wednesday night to lead the Bears to a 78-72 victory over visiting Catawba. 

El has now scored 20+ in five consecutive games and is shooting 53.8% on the season. Her 13 free throws made were just five away from the school record of 18 set by Amy Jenkins in 1995. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 78, Catawba 72
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (5-3, 2-1 SAC), Catawba (3-5, 1-2 SAC)
Location: Shuford Arena | Hickory, N.C.

STORY OF THE GAME:

• This game was close throughout, as Lenoir-Rhyne's early 7-2 lead was their largest until the final free throw of the game was hit. 
• Tied at 20-20, Lauren Arnold hit a three and Abigail Brown hit two free throws to put the Bears up 25-24 after one.
• Lenoir-Rhyne's largest lead of the third quarter was 35-30 after a layup from Aaliyah El with 6:15 left in the frame. 
• Catawba outscored the Bears 14-8 the rest of the way to take a 44-43 lead into the break. 
• The Bears held the lead for all but a minute of the third quarter and had a one point advantage heading into the fourth. 
• Down 70-68, Lenoir-Rhyne's final 10 points were scored by either Abigail Brown or Aaliyah El, all on free throws. 
• The Bear defense held Catawba to just two points over the final 2:20 of the game to secure the win.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Aaliyah El's 31 points were scored on an efficient 9-10 from the field and 13-16 from the charity stripe.
• Abigail Brown (13) and Lauren Arnold (11) joined El in double figures. 
• Despite not scoring, Amiya Porter was a fantastic floor general, leading the team with seven assists while committng just one turnover. 
• Arnold nearly finished with a double-double, leading the team with eight boards. 
• The Bears shot 24-49 (49%) from the field and 8-21 (38.1%) from three.
• Catawba was 27-66 (40.9%) from the field and 10-22 (45.5%) from three. 
• There were 18 lead changes and 12 ties in this game.
• The Bears won the free throw battle 22-8. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Catawba leads the series 44-31, but the Bears are 6-4 in the previous 10 matchups.
• Abigail Brown leads the SAC with 23 blocks while Aaliyah El is tops at 22.3 ppg. 
• Emry Tsitouris is the fastest Lenoir-Rhyne first year coach to five wins since Karen Barefoot won five of her first six in 2001-02. 

UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne hits the road to Virginia this weekend to take UVA Wise. The Cavaliers are 6-2 (3-0 SAC) and defeated Emory & Henry 69-60 earlier this evening. Tipoff for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from Wise, Va.