GREENWOOD, S.C. | Lander University used a 16-2 run at the end of the first half en route to an 83-66 non-conference men's basketball victory over Young Harris College Monday (Jan. 4) afternoon at Finis Horne Arena.

It was the season opener for the Mountain Lions, while the Bearcats improved to 2-2. YHC will host the University of South Carolina-Aiken at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday (Jan. 6) inside the YHC Recreation and Fitness Center. It will be the Peach Belt Conference opener for both teams.

Lander jumped out to an early six-point lead (19-13) on a Zane Rankin three-pointer with 9:03 left in the first half. Young Harris battled back to tie the game at 21 on an old-fashioned three-point play from Brian Free with 6:41 to go. The Mountain Lions took their only lead of the game at 26-25 after Seth McCoy nailed a three-pointer from the top of the key.

After a Bearcat timeout, Lander took the lead for good 12 seconds later at 27-26 on a DaJuan Moorer dunk that jump started a 16-2 run for the Bearcats as they took a 41-28 at the intermission.

Lander expanded its lead to as many as 27 points (71-44) on a Deon Berrien three-pointer with 7:12 remaining. The closest the Mountain Lions would get the remainder of the way was 17 points (83-66) after Jacorie Archie sank a three-pointer.

Free led the Mountain Lions with a career-high 18 points and pulled down five rebounds, while teammate Sebby Jean also added a career-high 15 points while grabbing six rebounds, dishing out five assists and corralling three steals. Karl Chavis also finished in double figures with 10 points, while Archie and Carl Cleveland had seven points each. Cleveland also pulled down a team-high six rebounds.

Rankin, who hit six of the 17 three-pointers for the Bearcats, led Lander with 18 points, while Sebastian Augustave had 15. Berrien (14), Jermaine Patterson (11) and LaRaymond Spivery (10) also finished in double figures. Moorer led the Bearcats with nine rebounds, while Patterson had eight.