HICKORY, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne men's basketball team extended their winning streak to four on Wednesday, defeating Newberry 95-69 inside Shuford Arena. 

The Bears had five players finish in double-figures, led by 17 from Akili Evans and 14 from Tyler Burraston. The Bears tied a season-high with 18 steals in the game.

INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: #24 Lenoir-Rhyne 95, Newberry 69
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (12-3, 6-1 SAC), Newberry (6-7, 2-5 SAC)
Location: Hickory, N.C. | Shuford Arena

STORY OF THE GAME:

• This game was tight early on as there were seven lead changes and four ties in the first eight minutes.
• Tied at 16-16, Blessin Kimble made a layup to spark a quick 8-0 run.
• Newberry kept things close as it was a five point game with 4:45 remaining in the half.
• Dunks by Blessin Kimble and Akili Evans highlighted a 14-5 close to the half from the Bears.
• Lenoir-Rhyne's lead was in the teens early on in the half before a Conrad Luczynski layup gave the Bears a 71-51 lead with 11:18 remaining in the game.
• The Bears kept their foot on the gas, leading by nearly 30 and capping off the big win with an Amarion Savage dunk with a minute left.

STATS OF THE GAME:

• Akili Evans (17), Tyler Burraston (14), Julian Dozier (13), Conrad Luczynski (11), and Sam Martin (10) each finished in double-figures.
• Dozier flirted with a double-double, leading the team with eight assists.
• Blessin Kmible and Amarion Savage were tops with six rebounds each.
• Dozier, Luczynski, and Savage each had three steals, while Martin led the way with three blocks.
• The Bears were an efficient 36-63 (57.1%) from the field and 5-14 (35.7%) from three. 
• Newberry struggled against the Lenoir-Rhyne defense, going 23-62 (37.1%) from the field and 7-25 (28%) from three.
• Lenoir-Rhyne dominated the paint, leading 54-22 in that category.

BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:

• Lenoir-Rhyne leads the all-time series 38-28 and have won the last three.
• The Bears sit just one game behind league leader Anderson in the SAC standings.
• Lenoir-Rhyne was ranked 24th in the most recent NABC poll. Anderson was fourth while UVA Wise was receiving votes.
• The Bears lead the conference in scoring (90.4), shooting percentage (.522), and three point percentage (.407).
• Sam Martin remains the league's field goal percentage leader at .730 while Conrad Luczynski is tops in blocks (43).

UP NEXT: The Bears will be back in Shuford this Saturday to take on Carson-Newman. The jerseys from that game are being auctioned off HERE to help support the team. The Eagles are coming off an 83-73 loss at Emory & Henry earlier tonight. Tipoff for Saturday's contest is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.