HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's basketball team is ranked in the NABC Top 25 for the first time since this year's preseason poll came out on October 28th. The Bears come in this week ranked 24th, using a three-game winning streak to push their season record to 11-3 (5-1 SAC). 

South Atlantic Conference leader Anderson (12-0) is ranked fourth, while UVA Wise (11-3) is receiving seven votes in the poll.

Lenoir-Rhyne's three losses this year are to teams (Daemen, Michigan Tech, UVA Wise) that have combined record of 39-5 and are either ranked or appear in the "receiving votes" portion of this week's poll. The Bears can credit much of their success to offensive efficiency as they rank fourth in the country in three point percentage (.410) and fifth in total field goal percentage (.519). They assist on an average of 18.9 field goals per game, which ranks seventh in the nation. 

Conrad Luczynski has been dominant in the paint this season, ranking third in the country in total blocks (42) and seventh in field goal percentage (.682). Amarion Savage's 2.88 assist/turnover ratio is 12th best in the country while Julian Dozier ranks 45th with 60 total assists. Tyler Burraston (29th) and Junior Hodnett (49th) are each ranked in the top-50 in three point percentage. 

The Bears will be back in Shuford tomorrow when they take on Newberry at 7:30 p.m.