GREENEVILLE, TN - Not every win will be easy, especially in South Atlantic Conference play. The Bears, who had won their previous six games by an average of 26 points, took down a pesky Tusculum squad 87-82 on the road on Saturday night. 

Conrad Luczynski was the player of the day for the Bears, scoring 27 points on 8-11 shooting and 11-12 from the free throw line. Also coming up big was sharpshooter Tyler Burraston, who hit seven threes and scored 21 points. 

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #21 Lenoir-Rhyne 87, Coker 82
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (15-3, 9-1 SAC), Tusculum (7-9, 3-7 SAC)
Location: Greeneville, Tenn. | Pioneer Arena

STORY OF THE GAME:

• Lenoir-Rhyne led 9-8 before a 9-0 run from the home side gave Tusculum a 17-9 lead nine minutes in.
• Threes from Akili Evans and Tyler Burraston cut that lead to two. 
• The Pioneers held the lead for much of the half but late threes from Junior Hodnett and Burraston, as well as a layup from Blessin Kimble, tied the game at 38-38 at the half.
• The Bears took their first lead since the 14 minute mark of the first half on a Sam Martin layup to start the final 20 minutes of play.
• Leading 68-67, Conrad Luczynski scored two straight buckets and Burraston hit a three to put the Bears up eight.
• Strong free throw shooting down the stretch sealed the win. 

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Akili Evans and Blessin Kimble each scored 10 points to join Conrad Luczynski and Tyler Burraston in double figures.
• Burraston also hauled in a team high seven boards.
• Despite Tusculum leading 17-13 in offensive boards, Lenoir-Rhyne led 18-10 in second chance points.
• The Bears shot 26-57 (45.6%) from the field, 10-26 (38.5%) from three, and 25-31 (80.6%) from the free throw line.
• Tusculum was 27-67 (40.3%) from the field, 16-29 (55.2%) from three and 12-18 (66.7%) from the free throw line.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Lenoir-Rhyne holds a 34-21 lead in the all-time series and have won four straight.
• Tusculum's 16 threes were a season high for them and the most any opponent has hit on the Bears this season.
• Conrad Luczynski's 27 points is a new career high.
• Tyler Burraston's 21 points is a season high and his seven threes are tied for his NCAA DII high.

UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will be back at home next week for arguably their biggest game of the season. This game will be a battle for the top spot in the conference standings as the Bears' opponent, No. 4 Anderson, fell 73-67 at UVA Wise earlier tonight. The game, which doubles as Bears Supporting Bears/Greek Night, will tip-off on Wednesday night at 7:30 p.m.