ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The Spalding University men's basketball team kicked off SLIAC play with an 82-76 win at Fontbonne University Wednesday night in St. Louis. The moves the Golden Eagles record to 2-4 overall and 1-0 in conference play, while the Griffins drop to 1-4 overall and 0-1 in SLIAC competition.

THE BASICS
THE SCORE: Spalding 82 – Fontbonne 76
LOCATION: Mabee Gymnasium, St. Louis, Mo.
RECORD: Spalding 2-4 (1-0 SLIAC), Fontbonne 2-4 (0-1 SLIAC)

HOW IT HAPPENED
- Spalding got off to a slow start falling behind by 11 points following a Luke Deline layup at the 7:24 mark in the first half. Brandon Williams answered with a three-pointer on SU's next possession getting the margin back to single digits. The Golden Eagles stayed in range the remainder of the half and a Rylan Rowe three-pointer late cut the deficit to six points at the half, 39-33. Spalding opened the second half with a basket and slowly chipped away at the Griffin margin eventually taking the lead at the 9:58 mark following a pair of Williams' free throws. SU would stretch their lead to as many as 13 points twice as they went onto win the game, 82-76.

- Five Golden Eagles finished in double figures. Brandon Williams led the way with a double-double scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Dominique Ellis and Rylan Rowe finished with 14 points apiece, Robert Bendingfield scored 12 points and Cornelius Watts added 11 points and passed out four assists.

- Spalding finished the game shooting 46.8% from the field earning 15 assists on 29 made field goals.

FOR THE FOES
- Kris McCann paced Fontbonne with 19 points, while Jared Woodcock added 17 points.

- The Griffins shot 50% from the field including 57.1% from beyond the arc.

UP NEXT
- The Golden Eagles will be back in action Saturday afternoon taking on Iowa Wesleyan University. Tipoff is 3:00 pm EST at Derek Smith Gymnasium in Louisville, Ky.