BANNER ELK, N.C. – Lees-McRae men's basketball led from start to finish in tonight's non-conference matchup with Mars Hill. The Bobcats collected the 81-63 on the McNair & Debi Tornow Court on Friday evening.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Lees-McRae – 81; Mars Hill – 63
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Lees-McRae (2-2/0-0), Mars Hill (2-1/0-0)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Drew Gardner recorded his fourth point of the contest with 17:09 remaining in the first half to cap a 9-0 run for the Bobcats. Brandon Brown elevated the lead to 10 points after a fast break dunk at the 12-minute mark as Lees-McRae held the 15-5 advantage. The Lions got within six points after made free throws by Kory Davis to make the score 17-11, but the Bobcats continued their dominance with the 39-24 lead at the break.
- In the second half, Jeremy Golson pushed the Bobcats to a 46-27 lead after a fastbreak three off an assist by Jaylin Stewart. Gabe Bryant sent home an emphatic dunk with 6:52 remaining in the second half as Lees-McRae secured the 81-63 victory on Friday night.
- Stewart led the Bobcats in the scoring column for the second consecutive contest as the junior guard tallied 14 points on 5-7 from the field and 4-4 from the free-throw line. Gardner chipped in 12 points in 21 minutes of action after going 5-11 from the floor and making both free throws on the night. Justin Nichelson registered 10 points to join his teammates in double figures and Golson had nine points on 3-7 from beyond-the-arc.
- Lees-McRae shot 48.3% (29-60) on the night and went 20-24 (83.3%) from the charity stripe. The Bobcats outpaced Mars Hill with 33 fast break points and 32 points off 21 Mars Hill' turnovers.
FOR THE LIONS:
- Kory Davis had a game-high 23 points on 6-18 from the field and making 10-11 from the charity stripe. Marvin Hires produced 12 points and six rebounds for the Lions in 20 minutes of action and Trey Belin registered 10 in 29 minutes played.
- Mars Hill grabbed 17 offensive boards in the contest with Isaiah Jones having a game-high 12,
UP NEXT:
Lees-McRae begins Conference Carolinas play on Tuesday, Nov. 22 when the Bobcats head to Franklin Springs, Georgia for a 7:30 matchup with Emmanuel.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
