HICKORY, N.C. - The No. 23 Newberry College Indians defeated the Lenoir-Rhyne College Bears, 24-0, to claim the Bishops Trophy for the second straight year at Moretz Stadium on Saturday.

Newberry (8-2, 4-2 South Atlantic Conference) was led by quarterback Brandon Gantt (Lexington, S.C.) who was 16-of-25 through the air for 157 yards and a touchdown, as well as carrying the ball 12 times for 110 yards and a score. The offense combined for 462 yards on the afternoon.

Lenoir-Rhyne (2-8, 0-5 SAC) was led by James Pone, who carried the ball 18 times for 83 yards. The Indians defense limited the Bears to six first downs and 131 total yards.

The Bears defense kept the game tight early, keeping the scoreboard at 0-0 through the first quarter. But Gantt hooked up with David Brown (Goose Creek, S.C.) for a 29-yard touchdown pass on the first play of the second quarter to cap a 13-play, 97-yard drive.

Gantt gave the Indians a 14-0 halftime advantage with a 48-yard touchdown scramble with 2:45 left until the break.

However, Newberry's next three drives ended on interceptions, two of which were in the end zone.

But the Indians got back on the board on the first play of the fourth quarter, as Ryan Lukshis (Irmo, S.C.) connected on a 35-yard field goal.

Newberry wrapped up the scoring with 3:30 to play on a 32-yard pass from Michael Johnson (Florence, S.C.) to Kelton Tindal (Sumter, S.C.). The Indians obtained the ball on an interception by Temarcus Thompson (Greenville, S.C.).

Derrell Mills (Gray Court, S.C.) led the Indians' defense with five tackles. Thompson and Levi Bennett (Summerville, S.C.) each snagged interceptions and Tony Ransom (Marion, S.C.) had Newberry's only sack.

The Indians will wrap up the regular season on Saturday, November 10, with the home finale against Brevard College. Kickoff for the Senior Night game at Setzler Field is slated for 7 p.m.