Hickory, N.C. — Limestone's women's basketball team defeated the Bears on the road in a South Atlantic Conference game, with the final score being 65-56. The Saints improved their record to 9-8, 5-8 SAC, while Lenoir-Rhyne fell to 7-11, 5-9 SAC.
Key players:
Amara Newsom (Kennesaw, Ga.) led the team with an impressive double-double, earning 20 points and 14 rebounds in 34 minutes.
Reagan Kargo (Summerfield, N.C.) and Kalisha Hill each contributed 15 points, with Hill showing an efficient 7-11 shooting performance.
Graycie Poe (Bicknell, In.) played the most minutes (36) and led with 5 assists, despite scoring only 7 points.
Megan Watson (Tampa, Fla.) was solid on the boards with 9 rebounds, despite struggling with her shooting.
Story of the game:
First quarter:

• Lenoir-Rhyne took an early lead with a jumper by Emily Harman at 07:27.
• Kalisha Hill (Saluda, S.C.) responded for Limestone with a jumper at 07:09, tying the game at 2.
• Tilda Lindstrom of Lenoir-Rhyne tied the game at 05:30 with a layup, making the score 4-4.
• Kargo added two points for Limestone with a layup at 05:09, leading 6-4.
• Emily Harman of Lenoir-Rhyne tied the game again with a layup at 04:52, followed by a foul from Kargo.
• Limestone took the lead 9-7 with a free throw by Hill at 02:48.
• Kargo responded with a layup for Limestone at 02:03, narrowing the gap to 12-9.
• Emily Harman of Lenoir-Rhyne tied the game again with a layup at 04:52, followed by a foul from Kargo.
• Limestone took the lead 9-7 with a free throw by Hill at 02:48.
• Kargo responded with a layup for Limestone at 02:03, narrowing the gap to 12-9.
• Tilda Lindstrom extended Lenoir-Rhyne's lead to 15-9 with a three-pointer at 01:49.
• Emma Pendleton added one point for Lenoir-Rhyne with a free throw at 01:14, extending the lead to 16-9.

Second quarter:

• Blaikley Crooks of Lenoir-Rhyne scored with a jumper at 08:03, extending the lead to 18-9.
• Hill scored a layup at 06:55, cutting the deficit to 20-11.
• Newsom scored two free throws at 06:16, narrowing the gap to 20-13.
• Newsom managed two more free throws at 01:49, reducing the lead to 22-19.
• Tilda Lindstrom secured a fastbreak layup at 01:23, extending Lenoir-Rhyne's lead to 24-19.
• Sarah Burton scored two free throws at 00:51, pushing Lenoir-Rhyne ahead 26-19.
• Newsom scored two more free throws at 00:32, narrowing the gap to 26-21.
• Watson scored a layup at 00:01, ending the quarter with the score at 28-23.

Third quarter:

• Blaikley Crooks of Lenoir-Rhyne scored a free throw at 09:47, extending the lead to 29-23.
• Newsom narrowed Limestone's deficit by scoring at 09:32, making it 29-25.
• Newsom continued her impressive performance with a layup at 07:49, keeping Limestone close at 32-30.
• Blaikley Crooks added a jumper at 05:20, pushing Lenoir-Rhyne's lead to 35-32.
• Newsom tied the game for Limestone at 04:01 with a layup, bringing the score to 35-35.
• Hill put Limestone ahead with a layup at 03:28, making it 37-35.
• Sarah Burton scored a free throw for Lenoir-Rhyne at 00:42, tying the game at 37-37.
• Watson won it for Limestone with a layup at the last second, giving her team the final lead at 39-37.

Fourth quarter:

• Hill started the final quarter strongly for Limestone with a layup at 09:06, bringing the score to 41-39.
• Kargo made two free throws at 08:34, extending Limestone's lead to 43-39.
• Madison Clark (Kennesaw, Ga.) added a layup for Limestone at 01:54, pushing the score to 59-45.
• Alexandra Merceron scored two free throws at 01:30, bringing Lenoir-Rhyne closer at 59-47.
• Merceron added a jumper at 01:18, making it 59-49.
• Reagan Kargo nailed two more free throws at 00:08, extending Limestone's lead to 65-54.
• Maleiya Hill finished the game with a layup at the final second, bringing the final score to 65-56.

Up next:
The Saints look to keep their momentum as they face Catawba on Saturday, January 26th starting at 2:00 p.m..