Mars Hill upsets No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne at home

MARS HILL, N.C. - The Mars Hill women's basketball team (6-14, 2-10 SAC) upset No. 14 Lenoir-Rhyne (18-4, 8-4) by a score of 64-61 Saturday afternoon inside Chambers Gymnasium.

The Lions trailed 36-34 entering the half, but took control of the contest in third, outscoring the Bears 21-8. Mars Hill shot 50 percent from the floor and were led by Jo Snow's nine points as she went 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

Lenoir-Rhyne's comeback bid began with a 7-0 run in the first 2:53 of the fourth, pulling within five. Trading baskets until the final minute of play, free throws from Emily Harman saw Lenoir-Rhyne trail by just two with 43 seconds to play. A clutch free throw make from Janette Hanni extended the lead to three and a missed three-pointer at the buzzer secured the win for Mars Hill.

The teams combined for 40 points in the first frame with the Bears leading 21-19 after 10 minutes. The Bears shot 53 percent from the floor as Blaikley Crooks went 4-for-4 from the floor to lead all players with eight points. Naja Ngongba led Mars Hill with six points.

Mars Hill responded in the second, outscoring L-R 16-15 and outrebounding the Bears 13-8. Hanni led all players with seven points and four rebounds. 

Crooks led all players with 22 points while Hannah Stull added 11 points and a game-high 15 rebounds for the double-double.

Hanni led the Lions with 20 points and a season-high 10 rebounds for the double-double. Ngongba ended the day with 15 points and eight rebounds while Snow wrapped up with 13 points and eight rebounds. Hannah Barr led all players with five assists.

The win marks the first set of back-to-back South Atlantic Conference wins for the program since the 2016-17 campaign.

Mars Hill returns to the courts on Wednesday, February 8 when they host Carson-Newman inside Chambers Gymnasium. Tipoff is set for 5:30 p.m.