NEWBERRY, S.C. - The Newberry Wolves gave Lenoir-Rhyne a run for their money on Wednesday night, never letting the Bears pull away. Lenoir-Rhyne answered the call, however, and won 74-67.
Akili Evans led the Bears with 19 points on an efficient 8-11 from the field.
Junior Hodnett hit four threes and scored 15 points of his own.
INSIDE THE MATCHUP:
Final: (RV) Lenoir-Rhyne 74, Newberry 67
Records: Lenoir-Rhyne (19-6, 13-4 SAC), Newberry (10-13, 6-11 SAC)
Location: Newberry, S.C. | Eleazer Arena
STORY OF THE GAME:
- The first time a team led by more than three in this game was when Tyler Burraston hit a three just a few seconds before halftime to put Lenoir-Rhyne up four at the break.
- Junior Hodnett hit four first half threes to keep Newberry at an arms length.
- The score was tied five times and there were 12 lead changes in the first half.
- A three from Akili Evans and Amarion Savage layup gave Lenoir-Rhyne a 10-point lead with 14:33 left in the game.
- Newberry cut the Lenoir-Rhyne lead to one twice late in the second half but Julian Dozier came up big each time, hitting a layup and free throw to keep the Bears in the lead.
- Fueled by two layups from Conrad Lucznyksi and two free throws from Tyler Burraston, Lenoir-Rhyne went on a late 6-0 run to put the game away.
STATS OF THE GAME:
- Four players finished in double figures, led by Akili Evans' 19.
- Lenoir-Rhyne finished with just 22 rebounds, their lowest in the Brent Owen era.
- Amarion Savage led the team with five assists.
- The Bears went 27-51 (52.9%) from the field, 9-27 (33.3%) from three, and 11-17 (64.7%) from the free throw line.
- Newberry was 21-48 (43.8%) from the field, 9-22 (40.9%) from three, and 16-23 (69.6%) from the free throw line.
- Lenoir-Rhyne allowed just 12 paint points from the Wolves.
BEYOND THE BOXSCORE:
- Lenoir-Rhyne leads the all-time series 39-28 and have won the last four.
- This was just the fourth win in the last 20 meetings in Newberry for the Bears.
- The Bears won this matchup 95-69 in Hickory in early January.
- Anderson leads the SAC with a record of 16-1, followed by Lenoir-Rhyne (13-4) and Catawba (12-5).
UP NEXT: Lenoir-Rhyne will travel to Mars Hill on Saturday to take on the Lions. Mars Hill (9-14, 3-14 SAC) have lost nine straight and fell 88-74 vs. Tusculum earlier tonight. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.