WISE, VA — A late surge in the second half from Lenoir-Rhyne from the field sealed the UVA Wise Cavaliers' defeat on Wednesday, falling to the Bears by a score of 85-70. 

HALF BY HALF:

The Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (9-15, 8-13 SAC) and the UVA Wise Cavaliers (4-21, 3-18 SAC) had no trouble pacing with each other through the first half, as each squad shot above a 45-percent from the field. Kevin Kangu of the Bears dropped 11 points from two three-pointers and three layups to keep the Bears rolling in the first half, while Isaiah McAmis and Joel Pettiford put up six each. The Cavaliers struggled from the arc, but made up for it at the stripe where they went 80-percent. The Cavs were only down two going into the locker room. 

After the break, the Cavs led early with a swift McAmis three-pointer to take a one-point lead. After a back-and-forth eight minutes, a perfect showing from Kervens Yacinthe at the line gave the Cavaliers a four-point lead. Soon after, Nas Tyson was fouled throwing up a shot and hit all of his free throws. Immediately following, Tyson hit a three-pointer to get the Bears ahead six. The Bears then went on a 12-4 run, pulling away. A Caleb Lominac shot from downtown softened the Bears' blow, but a late three-pointer from Kangu and a prominent showing in the field from T.J. Nesmith solidified a 15-point win for Lenoir-Rhyne as the final buzzer sounded. 

LEADERS:

Nesmith put up a double-double with a huge 29 points and 10 rebounds for the Bears, while Tyson put up 16. 

For the Cavs, Makai Vassell came through with 14 points on the night, while Bradley Dean put up 13 points coming from five shots from the field. 

INSIDE THE BOX:

The Cavs ended with a 48-percent from the field, and a 44-percent from the arc. 

The Bears had a 49-percent showing from the field and hit 42-percent from three-point range. 

Next, the UVA Wise Cavaliers head to Wingate, N.C. to play the Bulldogs on Saturday, Feb. 19 at 4:00 PM.