GREENVILLE, S.C. – The fourth-seeded Carson-Newman Lady Eagles (16-14, 12-10 South Atlantic Conference) women's basketball fell to the one-seeded Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (24-5, 17-5 South Atlantic Conference) by a 75-74 score in the semifinals of the 2014 Food Lion SAC Women's Basketball Championship at Timmons Arena on Saturday afternoon.

Carson-Newman outscored Lenoir-Rhyne 46-43 in the second half, yet the Bears held onto a one point win through the final two minutes to eliminate the Lady Eagles from the tournament.

"A lot of credit goes to L-R, they're a fabulous basketball team," said Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey. "But to host that game against Catawba to get here to the semifinals, and they way they've performed today – I'm really proud of our players."

Carson-Newman was led in scoring by the 17 points of sophomore Jai Jai McLaughlin (Knoxville, Tenn.). She was joined in double figures by the 15 points from junior Lashawnda Peacher (Springfield, Tenn.), the 11 points of sophomore Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.), and freshman Kaitlyn Cupples (Clinton, Tenn.) recorded a double-double with 12 points and a career-high 14 rebounds.

The Lady Eagles never led in the first half, yet after trailing 17-5 with 11:18 remaining in the first half, outscored Lenoir-Rhyne 17-5 over the next seven minutes to even the score at 22-22. L-R closed the first half on a 10-4 run, and carried a 32-28 lead into the locker room. Jazmine Charles had 15 of L-R's 32 points in the first half, making a pair of 3-pointers.

 The Bears maintained a slim advantage in the first 10 minutes of the second half. L-R then grew the lead to eight points by going on a 7-0 run from the 9:39 mark to 7:40 left to play, growing the lead to 61-53. Carson-Newman kept hitting shots, and after a 4-0 run, the Lady Eagles pulled even at 72 with 2:57 to play.

Jenni Gust nailed a 3-pointer 15 seconds later to put the Bears up 75-72 with 2:42 to play. McLaughlin hit a pair of free-throws to pull C-N to within one at 75-74 with 2:10 to play, although that became the game's final score.

L-R missed a Gust 3-pointer then a pair of free throws by Jordan Hiatt. Junior Lacy Miller (Dandridge, Tenn.) missed a pair of free throws with 48 seconds left, then Hiatt missed a layup that was blocked by Cupples. The Lady Eagles got the ball back and called timeout with 15 seconds remaining. Peacher missed a jumper with two seconds left, and L-R held on for the 75-74 victory.

 For the latest news on the Carson-Newman women's basketball program, fans are encouraged to visit www.cneagles.com.