Cooke drops 29 versus Lenoir-Rhyne

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill men's basketball team (7-10, 5-6 SAC) dropped a 98-83 contest versus Lenoir-Rhyne (10-6, 6-5 SAC) Wednesday evening inside Chambers Gymnasium.

The Lions exploded offensively in the first four minutes of the game, going on an 11-0 run, led by Nassyr Daniel's four points during that stretch.  Following the first media timeout, Lenoir-Rhyne clawed back into the contest, reeling off seven of the next nine points to pull within six.  Later in the frame, a 12-0 run gave the Bears their first lead of the contest, going up 27-21 with 9:14 left in the first half.  Less than two minutes later, up 30-25, the Bears once again strung together a lengthy run, 9-0, to take a double-digit lead over Mars Hill with just under six minutes to play.  Lenoir-Rhyne held the Lions at bay until the buzzer sounded, carrying a 51-38 lead into the half.

Cooper Fowler led the Bears with 10 points followed by Zim Fields' nine from the bench.  Javonte Cooke paced all players offensively with 11 points while collecting four rebounds.  Matthew Powell added eight and six rebounds.

The second half was a tighter affair with the Bears edging Mars Hill, 47-45.  The Lions were able to cut the deficit down to nine points following an Austin Gilyard three-pointer.  In return, the Bears continued their stellar shooting performance, going on an 11-1 run to take a 19-point lead with under 15 minutes remaining.  

Mars Hill cut the Lenoir-Rhyne lead down to 11 before Fields' reeled off six straight points for the Bears.  Cooke, in his best response, scored nine of the final 14 Mars Hill points to cap off his 18-point half.

Six of the seven Lenoir-Rhyne players ended the contest in double-figures, led by Darius Simmons' 22 and followed by Fields' 19.  Cooke led all players with a career-high 29 points and 10 rebounds for the double-double.  Gilyard had 18 on the night.

The Lions return to action on Saturday afternoon at 4 p.m. versus Newberry.