Box Score | Season Stats

BOLIVAR, Mo. -- In a game they needed to take to keep from remaining winless, and with the Meyer Sports Center packed with students and fans of the Drury Panthers, the SBU Bearcats made a 13-2 run midway through the second half to re-take the lead, then held on for the 84-80 win. Junior Ryan Dougherty led the 'Cats with 18 points, shooting 7-for-13, including 4-of-8 from long range.

"This place holds noise really well," said head coach Jeff Guiot about the Meyer Sports Center and the atmosphere during the game. "It will be great to have the student body back [after Thanksgiving break]." SBU quickly jumped out to an 11-2 lead over the Panthers, thanks in part to four early points and a steal from senior point guard Tomas Brock. Drury took their first lead at 7:47 of the first half, when Chris Parks' layup gave the Panthers a two point edge. Drury went into the locker rooms at halftime with a five point advantage, that would have been eight, except for Tre Smith's deep trey at the buzzer.

The Bearcats were out-scored in the paint, 48-32, including 26-16 in the second half. SBU also gave up ten second-chance points off nine Drury offensive rebounds. "We've got to get better rebounding," said coach Guiot after the game. "We didn't play that well tonight but found a way to win."

Seniors Kurt Koenig and Brock finished in double-figures, with 15 and 13 points respectively. Koenig, along with Dougherty tied for the team lead, each with five rebounds. Although he struggled with turnovers, allowing four, Brock also picked up five steals.

With the win, SBU improves to 1-3 on the year, while Drury falls to 2-1. The Bearcats are back at home this Monday, November 22, in what will be the third in a stretch of four games in eight days. SBU will host Central Bible College, at 7 p.m.