Harrogate, Tenn.-- A back-and-forth battle between Lenoir-Rhyne and Lincoln Memorial went the home side's way on Saturday, as the Railsplitters held on to defeat the Bears 68-61 in Harrogate on Saturday.

Down by as many as 12 in the fourth, the Bears defense didn't allow a field goal over the final 6:30 of regulation to help cut the lead to three. Despite this, LMU went 16-18 from the free throw line down the stretch to secure the win. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: Lenoir-Rhyne 61, Lincoln Memorial 68 
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (10-14, 8-12 SAC), Lincoln Memorial (9-13, 8-11 SAC)
Location: B. Frank Turner Arena | Harrogate, TN

STORY OF THE GAME:

• Lenoir-Rhyne jumped out to an early 7-2 lead thanks to buckets from Blaikley Crooks, Maleiya Hill, and Emily Harman.
• The Bears held the Railsplitters to just four made field goals in the first quarter, giving them a 13-11 lead after one.
• Five free throws in the middle of the second quarter from Blaikley Crooks put LR up 23-19 with 5:33 left in the half.
• Lincoln Memorial closed on an 8-2 run to take a 27-25 lead into the locker room.
• With LMU leading 41-31, Harman scored seven points to help the Bears close the frame on a 13-3 run, tying it up at 44 heading into the final 10 minutes of play.
• Two consecutive threes from LMU gave them a quick six-point lead in the fourth, a lead they would hold on to thanks to their tremendous free throw shooting.
• Alexandra Merceron cut the lead to 61-58 with 54 seconds remaining, but that was as close as the Bears would get.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Emily Harman (18), Alexandra Merceron (14), and Blaikley Crooks (12) all finished in double figures. 
• Merceron led with six boards, while Harman notched three steals.
• Both teams shot it well from the free throw line, as LR was 19-23 (82.6%) and LMU was 24-32 (75%). 
• Three point shooting was the difference in this one, as the Bears were 2-7 (28.6%) and Lincoln Memorial was 8-20 (40%).

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE

• Lincoln Memorial has not swept a season series since 2016-17 season. 
• Blaikley Crooks had five rebounds tonight and is five rebounds away from 500 in her career. 
• The Bears sit at No. 9 in the SAC standings, a game and a half back of Lincoln Memorial for the eighth and final playoff spot.

UP NEXT: The Bears will have a week off before heading to Limestone for their regular season road finale. It will be the Saints last home game of the year as they fell to #8 Coker today to move to 9-11 in the SAC. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. in Gaffney, South Carolina.