Lenoir-Rhyne rides frontcourt to win over Eagles, 82-70

Hickory, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team (12-11, 8-6) received a career-high 24 points from sophomore forward Allan Jones (Clemmons, N.C.) in an 82-70 win over Carson-Newman (14-10, 7-7) Saturday evening at Shuford Gymnasium in a South Atlantic Conference game.

Jones, a preseason all-league pick, finished 11-of-16 from the field off the bench while senior forward D.J. Blackmon (Albemarle, N.C.) and sophomore guard Bryce Hawkins (Charlotte, N.C.) added 14 points each for the Bears.

Four players in all scored in double figures for Lenoir-Rhyne, who completed the season series sweep of Carson-Newman.

Carson-Newman's Marcellous Perez (Jacksonville, N.C.) led the Eagles with a team-high 19 points and Antoine Davis (Rustburg, Va.) added 15 points in the loss.

Lenoir-Rhyne forged ahead to a 38-28 lead at halftime and never let its advantage get under seven points the rest of the way in the victory.

An 8-0 run by the Bears capped off by a field goal from senior forward Jeff Thomas (Chapel Hill, N.C.) increased L-R's margin to 59-44 with 11:48 remaining and the Bears were in total control the rest of the way.

Lenoir-Rhyne shot 53 percent (31-of-58) for the game and dished out 22 assists en route to its fifth consecutive victory at home.

In the next round of South Atlantic Conference games on Wednesday night at 8:00 p.m., Lenoir-Rhyne hosts Catawba while Carson-Newman visits Mars Hill.