Winthrop 59, Lenoir-Rhyne 35

Nov 20, 2012, 09:43 pm

ROCK HILL, S.C. -- Gideon Gamble paced Winthrop with 12 points and the Eagles stifled Lenoir-Rhyne's offense to snap a two-game losing skid with a 59-35 nonconference victory Tuesday night.

The teams went into halftime tied 17-all, with the Bears (4-0) narrowly edging Winthrop (2-2) in shooting percentage, 30.8 percent (8 of 26) to 30.4 percent (7 of 23).

Lenoir-Rhyne's shooting woes only worsened in the second half, with the Bears making 23.1 percent (6 of 26) after the break. Winthrop, meanwhile, hit 56.0 percent (14 of 25) in the second half while outscoring Lenoir-Rhyne 42-18.

The Eagles led 35-29 with 10 minutes remaining, but a 3 by Gamble and a fast-break layup by Derrick Henry jumpstarted a 24-6 run to close out the game.

Henry had 11 points and hit 5 of 5 free throws for Winthrop.

The Division II Bears counted the game as an exhibition.