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February 28, 2009
 HICKORY, N.C. - No. 16-ranked Lenoir Rhyne captured a share of the 2008-09 South Atlantic Conference Regular Season Championship with a 71-52 victory over Mars Hill Saturday night inside Shuford Gymnasium. The Bears improve to 23-4 overall and 13-3 in the SAC. The Lions drop to 12-15 overall and 5-11 in the SAC.
The Lions led early in the first half, 9-6, off a three-pointer by Brittini Young (Ramseur, N.C.). The Bears opened up a tight game at the midway point of the first half. With the game tied at 13, Lenoir Rhyne went on a 19-7 run over the course of seven minutes to gain a 12 point lead. An old-fashioned three point play by Brittany Mitch (McLean, Va.) at the 3:54 mark gave the Bears a 32-20 advantage.
Lenoir Rhyne led 36-25 at halftime. Young led all scorers with nine points and was three-of-four from three-point range.
Amber Holt (Charlotte, N.C.) opened the second half with a trey to increase the Bears' lead to 39-25. A jumper by Ariel Okunowo (Decatur, Ga.) cut the deficit to single digits, 44-35, but the Lions would get no closer. A layup by Denise Moore (Newport News, Va.) with 5:08 remaining in the game gave Lenoir Rhyne an 18 point lead, 62-44.
Holt finished with a team-high 17 points for Lenoir Rhyne. Moore and Jami Safrit (Hickory, N.C.) each posted 13 points.
Taylor Deal (Catawba, N.C.) recorded a double-double for Mars Hill with a game-high 18 points and 11 rebounds. Young had 15 points.
The SAC tournament seedings will be released Sunday by the conference office.
Season Stats...
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