NEWBERRY - The Newberry College Lady Indians knocked off Lenoir-Rhyne College 68-64 in South Atlantic Conference action Saturday.  Newberry improves to 11-4 and 2-2 in the SAC on the season.  The Bears fall to 9-4 and 1-1 in the SAC.

The Bears started the game with a hot hand jumping out to an 11-6 lead behind two three pointers in the opening six minutes.  Over the next three minutes, the Newberry defense forced 4 turnovers and held Lenoir-Rhyne scoreless.  In the process, the Lady Indians went on a 6-0 run to regain the lead at 12-11 with just over 11 minutes to play in the half. 

The Bears tied the game twice after that but were never able to grab the lead.  Newberry used a balanced offense to extend their lead to nine points.  Seven Lady Indians recorded two or more points in the opening stanza.  Newberry held a 32-25 edge going into the locker room.

The Lady Indians picked up where they left off, stretching the lead to 11 points less than three minutes into the second half.  Trailing 42-31, Lenoir-Rhyne fought their way back into the game.  The Bears went on an 11-0 run to tie the game, for the fifth time, at 42-42.  The game would be tied again at 48-48 before Newberry's Leanne Watson (Stone Mountain, Ga.) gave the Lady Indians a one point edge.

Newberry's lead was short lived.  As the Lady Indians' offense went cold, missing the next five shots, Lenoir-Rhyne built a five point lead (54-49) with 8:18 to play in the game.

However, the Lady Indians found their stroke and went on a 9-0 run to regain control of the game at 58-54.  Newberry drained six foul shots in the last five minutes to help prevent a Lenoir-Rhyne comeback.  With 1:56 left, the Bears cut the deficit to three points, but Newberry converted three straight free throws to seal the victory.

Tonique Frasier (Walterboro, S.C.) recorded her seventh double-double of the season with 17 points and 10 rebounds.  Carnicha Bellinger (Greenville, S.C.) hit double digits for the fourth time in five games with 13 points.  Tacarra Harris (Tupelo, Miss.) was two points shy of a double-double with eight points and a game high 10 rebounds.  Eight different Lady Indians scored at least three points in the game.

Lenoir-Rhyne was led by Amber Holt with a game high 20 points.  LaCourtney Rann added 14 points for the Bears.

Newberry travels to the Volunteer state on Wednesday.  The Lady Indians will continue their conference schedule as they take on Lincoln Memorial University.  Tip off is scheduled for 6 p.m.