February 23, 2008

Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Downs Catawba, 79-72, To Claim A Share Of The SAC Regular Season Title

Bears push their winning streak to 14 games

Salisbury, N.C. – The No. 15 Lenoir-Rhyne College Men’s Basketball Team (21-3, 12-0) clinched at least a share of the South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Title with a 79-72 win over Catawba (14-11, 6-7) Saturday afternoon at Goodman Gymnasium in Salisbury, N.C.

The victory, the Bears' 14th straight, was also the 400th career victory for 22-year Lenoir-Rhyne mentor John Lentz.

Junior forward Donte Watson (Fayetteville, N.C./71st HS) led the way with a team-high 15 points as was one of five players to score in double figures for Lenoir-Rhyne, who won its seventh conference regular season title in school history.

The game was close throughout as the Bears never gained a double-digit lead until late in the game.

Holding a slim 71-67 lead with 2:10 remaining, senior forward Reggie Bratton (Charlotte, N.C./West Charlotte HS) made three straight baskets for the Bears to push its advantage to 77-69 with 35 seconds remaining to put the game away.

Lenoir-Rhyne junior guard Josh Rudder (Graham, N.C./Southern Alamance HS) added 14 points and is now one point away from becoming the 48th player in school history to score 1,000 points.

The Bears' 14-game winning streak is also its longest since the 1960-61 season, when they reeled off 16 straight games.

Donzell Williams (Salem, Va.) was Catawba's top scorer with 14 points

Lenoir-Rhyne returns home to face Wingate on Senior Night Wednesday beginning at 8 p.m.

Box Score