ANDERSON, S.C. – The Anderson University women's basketball team dropped its second straight South Atlantic Conference contest Saturday afternoon against the visiting Bears from Lenoir-Rhyne, 56-51, at the Abney Athletic Center.
With the setback, Anderson drops to 12-7 overall and 6-5 in conference action while Lenoir-Rhyne improves to 10-9 overall and 4-7 SAC play.
Anderson sophomore Alexy Mollenhauer recorded her second career double-double dropping in 16 points and ripping down 11 rebounds. Forward Alexis Dillard chipped in eight points while grabbing nine rebounds.
Lenoir-Rhyne's balanced attack featured four players in double-figures with Cassidy Joyner scoring a team-high 13 points. Kendall Toineeta netted 12 points while Ashley Rodriguez and Karlie Bearden chipped in 11 and 10 points, respectively.
Anderson led the first half of the opening period before relinquishing the lead back to the Bears. The Trojans fought their way back tying the game on Erika Martin's jumper with 2:40 left until intermission. However, the Bears reeled off 7 straight to end the second period.
Lenoir-Rhyne increased the lead to 14 with 3:37 left in the third frame before the Trojans rallied back with a 6-0 run to cut the lead to 43-35 with one period to play.
Anderson continued to battle all the way back taking the lead on a made free-throw by Dillard with 1:03 remaining, 51-50. Lenoir-Rhyne answered back with a layup by Rodriquez with 43 seconds to go, 52-51.
Two costly turnovers by the Trojans and clutch free-throw shooting (4-of-4) by the Bears sealed the road win for Lenoir-Rhyne.
EXTRA DRIBBLE
-Lenoir-Rhyne snapped an 11 game losing streak to the Trojans.
-AU's Dillard is three points shy of becoming the 13th Anderson player to reach the 1000 point milestone.
-Anderson outrebounded the Bears 45-25.
-Lenoir-Rhyne turned Anderson's 21 turnovers into 24 points.
UP NEXT
Anderson travels to SAC opponent Queens on Sat., Jan. 27. Tip-off is scheduled for 2 p.m.
