The Lady Crusaders completed their non-conference today against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears in a New Year's Eve matinee that saw both clubs trying to recover from losses. Jenni Gust led all scorers with 15, and provided the spark that would separate the two clubs as Lenoir-Rhyne came away with a 59-46 win at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium.

The first four minute segment generated little offense for either side as both clubs struggled with the two week layoff. The lone bucket for the Crusaders came from Long as she delivered on a 15 foot baseline jumper from Morgan Midkiff.

Noel Bullock entered soon after the first media marker and showed no rust as she promptly dropped a 20 footer followed by a three pointer from the corner to break the third tie of the afternoon. The three pointer gave the Lady Crusaders their biggest lead of the day to that point.

Adrienne Simmons carried the water in the moments leading up to the eight minute media timeout. Her left hand jump hook on the left block was succeeded by a pair of charity tosses as she tied the game at 13.

The pace picked up as the Bears began to shake off the after Christmas cobwebs. After exchanging buckets, Lenoir-Rhyne pounded the ball to the paint, and they benefitted from the aggressive play. A 10-2 spurt allowed the Bears the chance to claw ahead to the biggest lead of the afternoon. Gust led the attack with seven points in the surge. Gust was the leading scorer in the opening stanza with seven points. Four other players scored six points or more in the first half for the home team.

As the clubs moved to the intermission, L-R finished the first half on an extended 22-9 run, with most of the damage exacted on the free throw line. For the half, Lenoir-Rhyne shot 83.3 percent (15-18) at the line. The Bears also held a 23-10 lead on the boards for the opening half.

Alyx Ingram was a perfect three for three from the floor to dent the scorer's column with six points. As a team, the Abbey shot 39.1 percent from the floor in the first 20 minutes.

In the second half, the Crusaders employed a zone to minimize the frontcourt of the larger Bears, but the Bears continued to own the glass. Gust continued to have a career day as the Wisconsin native was deep into double figures as the Bears stretched the lead to 16 as the teams made their way to the 12 minute media break.

A Candace Fox elbow jumper with 9:04 to play cut the lead to 18. Fox's layup at the buzzer proved to be the closest the Abbey would get in the second half, and prove to be the final outcome. On the day, Kelsey Long was the lone Crusader in double digits with 11. Whitney Brinkley joined Gust as double figure scorers with 10 and 15, respectively.

The Crusaders continue the rigors of the post-Christmas schedule as they take on Converse Thursday, January 3rd, at 7pm. That night is Kate's Skating Night, as all members of the Kate's Email list get in free. Those looking to redeem the free admission must present the email at the ticket window of the Wheeler Center. Doors will open at 6pm.