Lions Fall at Lenoir-Rhyne
Wright scores 27
HICKORY, N.C. - The Lions' men's basketball team lost to SAC rival Lenoir-Rhyne University, 82-68, Wednesday night at Shuford Gymnasium. Carter Wright recorded his career high 27 points in the loss. He connected on five 3-poiners in the contest.
Khouraichi Thiam scored 10 points and pulled down a game high 17 rebounds to follow Wright. The double-double was Thiam's 16th on the year. Kevin Haynes and Jalen Witherspoon posted 10 points apiece in the loss.
Denzel Dillingham scored a game high 31 points to lead the Bears. He added seven boards and two steals. Jarvis Perry scored 15 while B.J. Beasley added 12 to follow Dillingham.
The first 14 minutes of the first half were closely played. After L-R led 28-22 with 6:34 left on the clock, the Bears scored 13 unanswered points to lead 41-22 with 1:46 left in the first frame after Beasley hit a layup. The Bears took a 42-27 lead into the locker room at the intermission.
The second half belonged to the Bears. Mars Hill cut the deficit to 10 points (68-58) with 6:53 after Wright hit a shot from behind the arc. That was as close as the Lions would get. L-R quickly rebounded to a 16 point advantage (74-58) a couple of minutes later after Beasley hit another jumper. The Bears cruised down the stretch to a 82-68 victory.
Mars Hill will host Anderson University in Stanford Arena on Saturday at 4 p.m. The Lions will celebrate Senior Day before the contest.
