NCAA DIVISION II PLAYOFFS

WEST FLORIDA 43,

LENOIR-RHYNE 38

HICKORY (LRU) — A final drive came up short as Lenoir-Rhyne fell in the NCAA Division II quarterfinals to West Florida, 43-38, here Saturday afternoon.

The Bears trailed by 16 points with 14:54 to play in the fourth quarter, but cut the lead to two with a pair of touchdown runs by Ryan Carter in a span of 2:15.

After a UWF field goal with 2:11 to play gave the visitors a five-point lead, Lenoir-Rhyne’s final drive ended in an interception at the West Florida 6-yard line.

The loss ended the longest current home winning streak in Division II as the Bears had won 15 straight at Moretz Stadium.

West Florida moves on with a record of 11-2, while Lenoir-Rhyne ends the season at 13-1.