HICKORY, N.C.: A huge second half storm from the Lenoir-Rhyne University Bears was too much, as the Newberry College men's basketball team (7-4, 1-2 SAC) could not respond, falling 84-61.
 
Sophomore Malakhi Stremlow (Traverse City, Mich.) led the Wolves with 14 points, along with collecting 11 rebounds. Sophomore Malik Joseph (Eleuthera, Bahamas) had 11 points, with having three-pointers, followed by junior Andrew Robinson (Lexington, S.C.) with 10.
 
The two teams had a back-and-forth battle at the start of the game before the Bears took a lead just a few minutes in as it grew to an 11 point halfway through the first half. Stremlow would layup a shot in the paint to help cut into the deficit and get to within five after a three pointer from Devario Sheppard with 8:31 left. The Bears would keep going growing their lead back up to 11, but once again the Wolves cut right back into it, with Stremlow knocking down a three-pointer as time expired to go into the half, down 37-32.
 
Downs would hit two free-throws to start the second half to get within three to start. After a three pointer from the bears, the Wolves responded with back-to-back threes from Joseph and Robinson to tie the game at 40 just minutes in. That would be the last time the game would be tied as the Bears created a huge momentum swing to completely run away with the game, giving the Wolves no opportunity to get back in the game, winning 84-61. 
 
The Wolves will have one more match-up before the Holidays, as they play host to No. 10 ranked nationally Augusta University on Monday, December 19 at 3 PM.