Nov. 23, 2007

Final Stats

Salisbury, N.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne College Women's Basketball Team improved to 3-0 for the first time since the 2004-05 season with a 63-56 win over North Carolina Central University (0-7) in day one of the Catawba College/Comfort Suites Classic Friday evening.

Down 30-24 at intermission, the Bears came out of the locker room and went on a 9-0 run to start the second half, going up 33-30. Sophomore guard Jami Safrit (Hickory, N.C./Fred T. Foard HS) made two of the three baskets in the stretch, scoring 17 of her 19 points after the break including four from behind the arc. L-R would see its lead grow to as much as eight in the second stanza.

The Lady Eagles answered with a 9-3 run to retake the lead at 39-36, but after back-to-back baskets by Lenoir-Rhyne, N.C. Central saw their only lead of the second half end.

L-R sophomore guard Amber Holt (Charlotte, N.C./Hopewell HS) also hit four three-pointers in the game, finishing with 17 points and a team-high six rebounds.

Despite being out-rebounded 47-25, the Bears forced 30 Lady Eagle turnovers in the contest en route to the win.

N.C. Central was led by Jori Nwachukwu (Upper Marlboro, Md.) with a game-high 22 points and 11 rebounds, while Laytoya Bennett (Bowie, Md.) added another double-double, scoring 11 points and grabbing 11 boards.

Lenoir-Rhyne will face Molloy Saturday at 2:00 p.m. in the final day of the Catawba College/Comfort Suites Classic, while N.C. Central will face host Catawba in the nightcap at 4:00 p.m.