The Cavaliers couldn't keep up with Lenoir-Rhyne in the paint, and took a tough 100-67 loss to the Bears in Shuford Gym on Wednesday, Jan. 12.
HOW IT HAPPENED:Â
Lenoir-Rhyne took advantage of the UVA Wise's lack of coverage under the bucket, as the Bears scored 30 points in the paint in the first half. UVA Wise committed 14 turnovers, while the Bears only had two.Â
TURNING POINT:
A layup by Tyson in the seventh minute of the first half gave the Bears the momentum they needed, solidifying a 10-point lead. From there, the Bears would overpower the Cavaliers in the paint and go on a nine-point run in the last five minutes of the half to give the Cavs a 21-point deficit. The Cavs would never be able to come back from the aggressive Lenoir-Rhyne lead.
HALF BY HALF:
At the 19:20 mark of the first half, a Makai Vassell shot from downtown gave the Cavs an early 3-2 lead — but the Cavs wouldn't again be able to snag a first-half lead as long as Bear Nas Tyson had control of the ball. The Wingate, N.C. native connected on five of six shots, contributing greatly to the Bears' 61.1-percent field-goal percentage.Â
Supporting the Cavalier effort were Joel Pettiford and Vassell, each with five points. Additionally, Bradley Dean mustered up four of nine shots from the field, leading the Cavs with nine points going into the break. The Cavaliers could not get a shot to go down; only snagging 33.3-percent from the field.Â
In the second, the Cavs already had to work against a 21-point Bears lead, and the lead only grew greater. The biggest lead the Bears held against the Cavs was 37 with less than five minutes to go in the game. Positively, Pettiford snagged a double-double with 13 rebounds and 19 points. Dean snagged a career-high 20 points and tied his career-high in made field goals.Â
LENOIR-RHYNE LEADERS:Â
Nesmith led the Bears with 17 points and four rebounds. Right behind him was Tyson with 15 points, and Jalen Johnson with 12 points.Â
UP NEXT
The Cavs will head back home to face the Queens Royals on Saturday, Jan. 15.
