NEWBERRY — The Newberry men’s basketball team held Lenoir-Rhyne without a field goal for nearly three and a half minutes late in the second half to pull away from the Bears for a 93-84 victory Wednesday night at Eleazer Arena.

Mason Spease led four in double-figures with 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting. Marshall Lange scored 17 points while James Stepp poured in 15. Xavier Hill chipped in 10 points. D.J. Copeland, Gerald Evans and Jamaal Satisfield each pulled down a game-high seven rebounds.

It was a tight contest all evening as there were four ties and nine lead changes between the two teams. After a Lenoir-Rhyne (10-14, 9-10 SAC) made three pulled the Bears to within 76-73 at the 5:48 mark, Newberry’s (15-10, 10-9 SAC) defense roared to life.

The Wolves did not allow a Lenoir-Rhyne field goal for nearly three and a half minutes.

Newberry countered with two clutch three-pointers by Spease and Stepp to extend the Wolves’ lead to 82-73. The Bears sank two free throws before Hill’s fast break layup essentially sealed the contest for Newberry. The Wolves led by a game-high 12 points with 1:18 remaining.

Neither team could gain much separation in the first half. Lenoir-Rhyne had its largest lead of the contest at 17-14 with 13:56 remaining. The Bears led 23-22 before an 11-0 run put Newberry ahead 31-23 with 5:02 remaining in the first period.

Billy Bales made a layup with 0:02 seconds left for L-R as Newberry led at the break, 43-38. Lange led Newberry with 12 points at halftime.

The Wolves out-rebounded Lenoir-Rhyne, 41-34. Newberry shot 56.7 percent (17-for-30) in the second half, including 7-for-13 (53.8 percent) from beyond the arc.

The Bears countered with 16 three-pointers, the highest total by a Newberry opponent this season. Lucas Reed led Lenoir-Rhyne with 18 points. Jalen Variste posted a double-double of 17 points and 13 assists.

Newberry is currently sixth in the South Atlantic Conference standings, tied with Catawba and Anderson with a 10-9 conference record.

The Wolves will travel to Tusculum (11-14, 8-11 SAC) on Feb. 18 and attempt to sweep the season series against the Pioneers. Tip off is scheduled for 4 p.m. Newberry defeated Tusculum 102-89 on Jan. 8.

Mason Spease led four in double-figures for Newberry College with 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting for a 93-84 win Wednesday over Lenoir-Rhyne.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/web1_Mason-Spease.jpgMason Spease led four in double-figures for Newberry College with 19 points on 6-for-8 shooting for a 93-84 win Wednesday over Lenoir-Rhyne. Courtesy photo

Staff Report