HARTSVILLE, S.C. - The Lander men's basketball team (6-2) had four players reach double figures on Wednesday night as the Bearcats defeated Coker (2-4), 80-74, inside the Harris E. & Louise H. DeLoach Center.

Deon Berrien led the Bearcats with 19 in his first game as a starter. Also reaching double figures for Lander was DaJuan Moorer (14), Elijah Alston (14), and DeShundre Rucker (12).

The Bearcats trailed only one time early in the game and jumped out to a 24-12 lead after hitting four three-pointers in the first 10 minutes of the game.

Lander controlled play and stayed ahead for a majority of the first half. Coker would continue to fight and keep the game within reach in the last few minutes of the first half to send Lander into the break with a 38-30 lead.

Lander would come out of halftime and continue to dominate on both sides of the ball as they stretched their lead out to 50-34 after three minutes of play. The Cobras would respond in a big way as they went on a 20-6 run to make it a 56-54 game with 10 minutes to play. The Bearcats would soon build a lead and counter a potential comeback to seal the game.

The Bearcats would win the rebound margin 40-26 to continue to their dominance on the glass early in the season. Elijah Alston and DaJuan Moorer led Lander with eight rebounds each.

Zane Rankin made the most out of his 12 minutes of play as he scored eight points, two three-pointers, three rebounds, and one assist.

The Bearcats return to action next Thursday when it travels to Young Harris to open PBC play. Game time is set for 2 p.m.

#cLawsUp | @LanderMBB