Box Score | Tournament Central

Bolivar, Mo. - The SBU Bearcats had a good match-up against Evangel University in the opening day of the SBU Thanksgiving Classic with a 77-74 victory. The Bearcats had four in double-figures in the win.

The game would remain close throughout most of the evening, with SBU taking a 38-29 lead into halftime. Evangel would fight their way back, but SBU ultimately held them off with some great drives by Ryan Dougherty, and clutch free throws by Kyle Sloan to claim the 77-74 victory.

Sloan was the leading scorer for the Bearcats with a career high 21 points off of 7 of 11 shooting from the field. "Kyle is a very good player," head coach Jeff Guiot stated. "He led us in scoring with 21 points, and 4 offensive boards. I am glad to see that out of the guard spot." Robson Memnon added 17 points off of 8 of 9 shooting from the field and provided solid play in the post. "Rob seems like he is getting better and better," coach Guiot commented about his senior. "Tonight he stepped up big, as he was 8 of 9 from the field. We did a good job of getting the ball in there to him, and he finished."

Preston Guiot recorded his first double-double of the season with 12 points and 11 assists, while Ryan Dougherty was instrumental in developing and scoring key baskets late in the game, finishing with 10 points.

As a team, the Bearcats shot 51.9% from the field and 37.5% from beyond the arc. The Bearcats out-rebounded the Crusaders 36-30, and held Evangel to a shooting percentage of 27.8% from beyond the arc.

"We found a way to win," Coach Guiot commented. "We did what we had to do to win the game. I told the team afterwards whether you win by 50 or you win by 1, you still get a victory for it. We are going to take the victory and learn from it and get ready to play tomorrow night against Central Oklahoma."

The Bearcats will be back in action tomorrow evening when they take on #11 Central Oklahoma in the final game of the SBU Thanksgiving Classic. Tip-off is set for 7:30 p.m. from the Meyer Sports Center. Be sure to follow SBU AD Mike Pitts on Twitter @ad_at_sbu for live updates throughout all sporting events he attends.