Lions downed by Lenoir-Rhyne on the road

HICKORY, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (1-9, 1-9 SAC) was defeated by Lenoir-Rhyne (3-7, 3-7 SAC) by a score of 81-47 Wednesday night on the road.

Leading 4-3 early in the contest, a Katyah Foggie jumper was the catalyst for a Mars Hill 8-0 run capped off by a Gabby Gianikos jumper.   The Lions would extend their lead to 15-5 with 3:07 to play in the frame before the Bears reeled off seven of the last nine points of the frame to narrow the deficit to five points.

Tied at 19 with 6:21 left in the half, a layup from Mallory Sherrill gave Lenoir-Rhyne the lead, one they would not relinquish for the remainder of the contest.  Leading 22-21, the Bears went on a 13-0 run to build their lead, 35-21, with 2:36 to play in the quarter.  The Lions clawed away at the deficit and knocked it down to 38-29 at the end of the half.  

Sherrill led all players with 12 points at the half. Gianikos recorded 11 to lead the Lions.  Marshall scored eight points in the first quarter for Mars Hill.

The second half was all Lenoir-Rhyne, outscoring the Lions 43-18 in the final 20 minutes of play.  Ashley Woodroffe scored a team-high seven points in the third quarter followed by Nakia Hooks' six.    In the fourth quarter, neither team shot particularly well, combining to hit 3-of-20 attempts from the floor, however, the Bears drained 10-of-14 free throw attempts to further extend their lead.

Lenoir-Rhyne hit five three-pointers to Mars Hill's zero and recorded 22 points off of free throws.

Sherrill led all players with 20 points and 15 rebounds for the double-double.  Woodroffe ended the night with 19 while Korbin Tipton added 15.  Gianikos led the Lions with 15 points followed by Marshall's nine.

The Lions contest for Saturday afternoon versus Catawba has been postponed.  They are slated to return to action on Wednesday, February 3 to take on Queens on the road.  Tipoff is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.