GAFFNEY, S.C. --- Lees-McRae freshman Mike Chambers
poured in a game-high 25 points in an entertaining game that saw 24
lead changes against Limestone, but LMC fell victim to a late run
and dropped its season finale, 87-78, in Conference Carolinas
action Tuesday night at the Timken Center in Gaffney, S.C.
The Saints (18-8, 10-6 CC) had the hot hand while knocking down
57.1% of their shots in the first half and PJ Foster enjoyed a
22-point performance. The Bobcats (7-20, 2-14) controlled the ball
effectively while committing a season-low six turnovers.
The first half was tightly contested while a Darius Malbon
(Hickory, N.C.) knocked down a jumper to knot it at 13, for the
third of 10 ties in the opening 20 minutes.
Senior Darius Smith
(Woodbridge, Va.) connected on four free-throws to give the Bobcats
a slim three-point lead, 23-20. Junior Jacquise Moore
(Concord, N.C.) followed suit with a pair of his own to give LMC
its largest lead of the game.
Raul
Tutton (Memphis, Tenn.) completed a traditional three-point
play at the 1:36 mark. LC's Asaad Woods rolled in a layup with 54
seconds remaining to tie it at 42.
The Bobcats splashed six shots from long distance, but the
Saints held a 12-6 advantage from the charity stripe.
The final 20 minutes duplicated the first while neither team
could retain a comfortable lead. Freshman Donte Falls
(Shelby, N.C.) corralled a pass from Tutton to put the Bobcats up
four, 61-57.
Moore rattled the rim with a thunderous dunk to push the lead to
five, 76-71.
Limestone responded and used a raucous crowd to rip off a 16-2
run to end the game.
LC's Shaq Dance chimed in with eight of his 20 points during the
spurt.
LMC connected on eight three-pointers while Moore and Smith had
16 and 15 points, respectively.
The Saints' Josh Odem grabbed nine rebounds while dropping 15
points.
The Bobcats saw their win total improve from three to seven
from last season while Smith and DeAndre
Tillman concluded their Bobcat careers.
- LMC -
