ANDERSON, S.C. - Using a balanced offensive attack with five players in double figures, the Anderson men's basketball team opened a three-game South Atlantic Conference homestand by outpacing Lenoir-Rhyne, 87-61, Wednesday night at the Abney Athletic Center.

Anderson (8-5, 2-1 SAC) shook off the rust following a 17-day layoff to claim its sixth win in the last eight outings en route to improving to 5-1 at home on the season, while Lenoir-Rhyne (2-9, 1-2 SAC) has dropped three straight and seven of its last eight contests.

The Bears scored the first two points of the game, but back-to-back 3-pointers, first from Brandon Young then freshman Denzail Jones gave the Trojans a lead they would not surrender. AU steadily built an 11-point advantage with 5:47 left in the opening half and held a 43-37 lead at intermission.

Anderson put the game out of reach by opening the second stanza with a decisive 15-5 run, with senior guard Kevis Cornwell providing the spark with eight of his 17 points coming during the outburst.

The Trojans shot 53.6 percent from the field, including an impressive 44 percent from beyond the arc, and out-rebounded the Bears, 40-29, on the night.

Cornwell and guard Nick Trull shared team-high scoring honors with 17 points apiece, while freshman guard Denzail Jones tallied 15 points, dished out a game-high five assists and grabbed seven rebounds. Senior forward Trey Britton added 11 points and seven rebounds, with guard Brandon Young notching 10 points. Sophomore center Taylor Shugart chipped in nine points and recorded seven rebounds.

Freshman guard Allan Jones poured in a game-high 19 points for Lenoir-Rhyne, while R.J. McClure added 17.

The Trojans continue the three-game conference homestand by playing host to Catawba in the second game of a women's/men's doubleheader on Saturday at 4 p.m. in the Abney Center.