HICKORY, N.C. - The Lander University women's basketball team dropped its second game of the season Sunday afternoon, falling 79-61 to Lenoir-Rhyne in the final day of the SAC/PBC Challenge at Shuford Memorial Arena.

A slow start put the Bearcats in an early deficit as Lenoir-Rhyne opened with a 20-7 first quarter. Lander responded with its best offensive stretch in the second quarter, shooting 54.5 percent from the field and hitting three 3-pointers to narrow the gap before halftime.

Kennedy Johnson-Corley led Lander with 17 points, nine rebounds, and three steals. Trinity Thomas added 11 points, while Lauren Crosland provided a spark off the bench with 13 points, including three 3-pointers.

Lander found rhythm from beyond the arc in the third quarter, connecting on five threes, but the Bears countered with their most efficient period of the game. Lenoir-Rhyne shot 62.5 percent in the third to extend its lead and held control the rest of the way. 

The Bearcats' bench contributed 26 points, but the Bears' 46 points in the paint proved decisive.

Lenoir-Rhyne was paced by Abigail Brown, who finished with 22 points and nine rebounds. 

The Bearcats' road stretch continues Tuesday, Nov. 18, when they travel to Newberry, S.C., to take on the Newberry College Wolves. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m. Read Full Article