GREENWOOD, S.C. - The third-ranked Lander Bearcats kick off the 2021-22 season this weekend at the SAC/PBC Challenge hosted by Lenoir-Rhyne. Lander opens up the Challenge with a top-25 matchup as they take on #21 Carson Newman Saturday at 6:30 PM. On Sunday, the Bearcats will play host Lenoir-Rhyne at 1:00 PM.  

QUICK HITTERS

Lander's Record (2020-21): 20-2, 16-0 PBC

Carson_Newman's Record (2020-21): 15-4, 15-2-0 SAC

Lenoir-Rhyne's Record (2020-21): 6-14, 6-12 SAC

Series Record vs. Carson-Newman: Tied 8-8

Series Record vs. Lenoir-Rhyne: Tied 4-4

STORYLINES

• Lander is coming off a historic 2020-21 season that saw the Bearcats reach the Final Four for the first time in school history.  
• Lander has made seven consecutive NCAA Tournament appearances, the longest streak in program history.  
• The Bearcats return all five starters from last season and nine out of 11 players on the roster.  
• Last season Zamiya Passmore led Division II in free throw attempts (179) and was fourth in free throws made (118).
• Miriam Recarte finished third in the country last season in blocked shots (62) and eighth in block shots per game (2.82).  
•   Makaila Cangé is fourth in Division II on the Active Career Leaders list for field goal percentage at 59.1%. Cangé finished 2020-21 ranked second in field goal percentage (66.5%), third in double-doubles (16) and rebounds (293), and fifth in rebounds per game (13.3) and defensive rebounds per game (9.3).
• Lander is looking to break ties in their series with both Carson-Newman and Lenoir-Rhyne.
• The Eagles and Bearcats have split their last two matchups. Carson-Newman defeated Lander 77-69 on November 9, 2019. The Bearcats defeated the Eagles 82-79 in the first round of the Southeast Regional on March 19, 2019.  
• Lander has won their last two against Lenoir-Rhyne. The Bearcats blew out the Bears 92-65 to open up the 2019-20 season. Lander opened up the 2018-19 season with a come from behind 55-53 victory over Lenoir-Rhyne.    

#cLawsUp | @LanderWBB