The Lenoir-Rhyne Men’s Basketball Team shot 62.5 percent from the field and outscored the host Cougars 43-32 in the second half to come away with a six-point victory on Saturday afternoon, their second straight win. Nas Tyson led LR with 18 points and nine boards in the 63-57 win.

The Bears slumped offensively in the first 20 minutes but used suffocating defense to stay in the game. LR shot 32 percent and scored 20 points in the opening 20 minutes but held CSU to an identical 32 percent shooting mark and 25 points. The lead would swell to 12 at 42-30 in favor of the Cougars with 11:38 to play. However, LR would respond with a 9-0 run capped by a Tim Steele bucket to make it 42-39.

The Cougars would reclaim a nine point lead at 53-44 with 6:33 to go on a 3-point bucket. Nas Tyson’s 3-pointer capped a 13-0 run and put the Bears up 57-53 with 2:06 left to play. Columbus St. would cut it to two at the 1:17 mark, their first basket in 5:16 of game action.

Chase Mebane converted in the paint and Jaheim Taylor went 4-for-4 from the charity stripe down the stretch as LR iced the win. CSU scored just four points in the final 6:33.

Mebane finished with 12 points and eight rebounds while Taylor had 17 off the bench.

The Cougars shot just 37.9 percent in their own gym for the game. LR got retribution for last year when Columbus St. beat LR by one at Shuford Arena. LR had an 11-4 advantage in second chance points. The LR reserves outscored the Cougars bench 26-14 and LR had a 30-20 edge in points in the paint.

LR, 2-1 on the season, will continue a five game road swing on Tuesday when they go to Converse for a 7 p.m. tip looking for a third straight win.