Rolla, Mo. – The SBU Men's Basketball team opened their 2021-22 season against Trevecca Nazarene at a neutral site, held by Missouri S&T. The Bearcats shined in their season opener, dropping 91 points in the 22-point victory. With the win, SBU begins the season 1-0.
 
Trevecca Nazarene scored the first bucket of the game, but Jalil Beaubrun and Quinn Nelson made sure the Trojans didn't have the lead too long. The teams went back and forth for a good portion of the first half, but three Quinn Nelson free throws at the 7:23 mark gave SBU the lead for what would end up being the remainder of the contest. Nelson hit a three late in the half to give the Bearcats a 12-point lead, but TNU scored a layup to make the score 45-35 SBU at the break.
 
Right out of the break it was Nelson again, draining another three and a jumper to keep SBU's double digit lead. A few minutes later, Jalil Beaubrun nailed a big three, followed by baskets from Ayden Stone and Mitch Ganote to stretch the lead to 20. The Trojans got within 9 at the 4:06 mark, but a strong finish helped SBU seal the victory with a 91-69 final.
 
As a team, the Bearcats shot 28-56 from the field for an even 50% and 13-25 from three-point range for 52%. Quinn Nelson scored his 1,000th career point in the game, going 8-9 from the field and 5-6 from deep for 27 points. He also dished 4 assists in the win. Nico Aguirre also had a big game off the bench, dropping 18 points, 6 rebounds, and 3 assists in 28 minutes. Jalil Beaubrun also hit double digits, scoring 13 points. Doing it all was Mitch Ganote, scoring 9 points, snagging a game-high 17 rebounds, dishing 6 assists, 3 steals, and 2 blocks.
 
In their first game as a Bearcat, Drew McMillin went 2-2 from deep and had 8 points, Ayden Stone was 2-2 from the field with 4 points, and Rico Clouden had 2 rebounds and 2 assists.
 
The team returns to Bolivar for their home opener on Tuesday, November 16. Barclay College will visit for a 7:00 PM tipoff at the Meyer Sports Center.