Men’s Basketball Wins at Lenoir-Rhyne

HICKORY, N.C. - The Mars Hill College Men's Basketball Team (6-12, 3-7) registered a 68-55 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne University (2-16, 1-9) Saturday evening in a South Atlantic Conference game at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium. The Lions' Dion Malachi (Shelby, N.C.) led all scorers with 21 points to go along with seven blocked shots while Donterious Hughes (Gastonia, N.C.) added 16 points to lead Mars Hill to the win and a season series sweep of L-R.

Lenoir-Rhyne received a career-high 20 points and four three-pointers off the bench from freshman guard Bryce Hawkins (Charlotte, N.C.) but the Bears suffered their 10th straight loss.

Mars Hill held a 31-27 advantage at intermission before a 7-0 run early in the second half pushed the Lions' lead to 44-34 on a field goal by Tarron Stewart (Tampa, Fla.) with 10:59 left in regulation.

Mars Hill held Lenoir-Rhyne at bay from there as its lead never got under seven points the rest of the way. The Lions, who would lead by as many as 14 points, held the Bears to just 36 percent (19-for-53) shooting for the contest. On offense, Mars Hill hit 50 percent (28-for-56) from the floor.

Lenoir-Rhyne's Allan Jones added 17 points and junior guard Kevin Davis (Charlotte, N.C.) chipped with 10 points but it wasn't enough.

Mars Hill will host SAC foe Newberry College on Wednesday night at 8 p.m. MHC will provide a live video and audio stream of the event as well as live in-game statistics.