GREENVILLE, Tenn. - Tusculum held on to defeat Lander 83-77 Friday night in the season-opening game for both teams. 

The Pioneers would build an early 23-12 lead, but a three-pointer by Noah Dunn, back-to-back layups, and two free throws by Ajang Aguek would cut the deficit to two points. With just under seven minutes left in the first half, Dunn would hit another three-point basket to cut the Tusculum lead to 32-31, but the Pioneers would take a 47-42 lead into halftime. 

The Bearcats continued to trail in the second half, but a three-point basket by Dominic Stanford and a layup by Jacob Cooper tied the game at 54. Later in the half, Jeremiah Holloway found Cooper for a three-pointer to tie the game again at 62. Tusculum would hold off the Bearcats to take the win. 

Cooper was 8-15 from the field and finished with 20 points and nine assists to lead the Bearcats. Inady Legiste added 15 points against his former team, while Aguek had 11 points on 4-5 shooting. 

Lander will return home to host Newberry on Sunday in their home opener at 3:30 PM. 

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