Bristol, TN -  The Lenoir-Rhyne Women's Basketball team finished the 2025 calendar year with a convincing 79-53 win against King University. Aaliyah El and Abigail Brown combined for 33 points while Ralee Bare collected her first double-double of the season, finishing with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

The Bears close out their non-conference schedule with a 4-2 record and collected their third road win of the season.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 79, King 53
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (8-4, 4-2 SAC), King (5-5, 2-1 CC)
Location: Bristol, TN | Kline Gym

STORY OF THE GAME:

• Lenoir-Rhyne went on a 16-2 run in the final five minutes of the first quarter to lead 28-15 at the end of one.
• Amiya Porter's made 3PT with 1:35 left in the half was the only made field goal for the Bears in the second quarter as both teams finished with six points scored.
• The Bears finished the first half shooting 11-for-35 (31.4%) from the field and 5-for-18 (27.8%) from beyond the arc, leading 34-21.
• Lauren Arnold produced four of the first six points for the Bears to begin the second half, growing the Bears lead 40-21.
• An Aaliyah El steal and driving layup extended the Bears lead 59-34 with eight minutes remaining in regulation. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne outscored King 26-19 in the fourth quarter,finishing with a commanding 79-53 victory.  

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Aaliyah El (19), Abigail Brown (14), and Ralee Bare (11) all finished in double figures. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne dominated the rebound battle 65-36, including a 23-9 advantage in offensive boards.
• There were 36 combined turnovers between the two teams.
• The Bears dominated in the paint outscoring the Tornado 42-20 and led 25-4 in second chance points. 
• Lenoir-Rhyne finished 26-for-71 (36.6%) from the field compared to 19-for-64 (29.7%) for King.
• Six Bears finished with six or more rebounds while Lauren Arnold led the team with five offensive boards. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• This is the 6th all-time meeting between the Bears and Tornado. LR leads the series 5-1.
• Aaliyah El entered today's game leading the conference with 20.6 PPG.
• This is the fourth straight year these teams have met in non-conference play with the Bears winning all four. LR has averaged 83.0 points in these four games.
• In just her three games this season Ralee Bare has put together a stat line of 26 points, 18 rebounds, 14 assists, and 12 steals. 
• Six points scored by King in the second quarter is the least amount of points the Bears have given up in a quarter this season. 
• The 65 total boards is the most the Bears have generated in a game this season.

UP NEXT: The Bears will open the 2026 calendar year with a home game against Newberry on Wednesday, January 7th. The Wolves closed 2025 today with a win against Anderson, giving them an 8-3 record and a 2-3 mark in SAC play. Tip-off from Shuford Arena is scheduled for 2:00 PM.