JEFFERSON CITY, Tenn. – The Carson-Newman Lady Eagles (6-1, 1-0 South Atlantic Conference) will step back into conference play against the Lenoir-Rhyne Bears (4-2, 0-0 South Atlantic Conference) at Shuford Memorial Gymnasium on Saturday afternoon at 2 p.m.

The Lady Eagles have won their last six games, with their most recent victory a 63-46 triumph over North Georgia on Dec. 5 at Holt Fieldhouse.

"It's been awhile since we've competed, practice gets old after awhile," said Carson-Newman head coach Mike Mincey about the Lady Eagles' lack of games over the last nine days due to academic finals. "I think everyone's happy to get finals over with and we have this all-important conference game before we break for Christmas break."

Carson-Newman continues to be led in scoring by freshman Tatum Burstrom (Maryville, Tenn.), who is averaging 13.1 points per contest, yet was held to two points against North Georgia last week.

Fellow freshman Jai Jai McLaughlin (Knoxville, Tenn.) experienced a breakout game against the Lady Saints, scoring a career-high 17 points, and she has scored in double-digits the past two games for the Lady Eagles.

Saturday's game against Lenoir-Rhyne will mark the second road game of the season for the Lady Eagles, with the first road win coming on Nov. 16 over North Georgia as part of the Lady Saints Tip-Off Classic in Dahlonega, Ga.

The Lady Eagles, who were picked to finish seventh in the SAC preseason poll, are 1-0 in conference play after beating Brevard in overtime 62-59 at Holt Fieldhouse on Nov. 28.

The Bears, coached by Todd Starkey, were picked to finish second in the preseason SAC poll, and are led by sophomore Jazmine Charles, who is averaging 12.3 points per game. Lenoir-Rhyne is coming off of a 52-48 loss at Clayton State, who was ranked fifth in the nation at the time.

"They're a solid team," said Mincey of Lenoir-Rhyne. "They've lost to really good teams and they have certainly won the games that they should have. I know it's going to be a hard test, it's always a hard game to play when you go over to L-R, we know we're going to have to bring our 'A' game to get a 'W'."

Coverage of the game is available on the Coca-Cola Eagle Sports Network, beginning with the Farm Bureau Countdown to Tipoff at 1:45 p.m. and the broadcast is also available on www.cneagles.com.