HICKORY, N.C. - - Senior Meg Crawford scored a season-high 20 points while tying a career-best 10 made field goals as UVA Wise went on the road and knocked off Lenoir-Rhyne 72-70 at Shuford Gym in South Atlantic Conference action Wednesday.

HOW IT STARTED

UVA Wise began the game with a blistering start from the floor. The Cavaliers made 8-of-12 first quarter field goal attempts, four of which came from beyond the arc. Two of the made 3-pointers came from redshirt senior Kalee Johnson marking the 100th made 3-pointer of her career. The fast start by Jamie Cluesman's crew put Lenoir-Rhyne behind 22-13 after the opening session.

GROWING THE LEAD

UVA Wise entered the second half with a 36-31 lead and built the lead to double figures in the third quarter. A 10-to-2 scoring run to close the period was highlighted by Crawford. The center scored six points over 1:49 of game play to aid the guests to a 60-49 lead going to the final 10 minutes.

THE PIVOTAL STRETCH

A Katlin Burger layup gave the Cavs a 65-51 lead with 8:05 to play before Lenoir-Rhyne mounted a final comeback bid. The Bears would get back in the game thanks to the play of forward Brandi Hudson. Hudson would score 10 of her game-high 27 points over the next seven minutes to get the hosts within two at 72-70 with under a minute to play. Lenoir-Rhyne would get two shots at the basket in the final seconds in effort to force overtime but both would come up short preserving the victory for UVA Wise.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

UVA Wise shot a season-high 56.3 percent from the floor while assisting on a season-best 21 made buckets. The win halted what was a seven-game losing skid for the Cavs while also garnering the program its first win away from the Prior Center this winter. Johnson finished the game with 10 points giving her 1,173 for her career to move to 14th all-time in school history. Burger recorded a season best 12 points, Caitlyn Ross grabbed a season-high 11 rebounds and Nia Vanzant scored in double figures for the 14th time this season with 15 points.

NEXT UP

Queens University of Charlotte comes to Wise Saturday in a 2 p.m. tip. Fans can watch the action live on uvawisecavs.com