Frederick, Md. -- Junior T.C. Thacker scored 18 points and grabbed 17 rebounds to lead the University of Lynchburg men's basketball team to an 87-78 win over Albertus Magnus Friday night in the opening game of Hood College's MMI Tip-Off Tournament.

Thacker recorded a new career-high in rebounds and matched his career-high in points. Senior Chance Greene recorded 19 points in the win and was 9-12 from the free-throw line. Junior Tharon Suggs also added 19 points and was 3-for-4 from beyond the arc.

The Hornets (1-0) found themselves down early as the Falcons (0-1) took a 21-13 lead halfway through the first half. Thacker made a layup on an assist from sophomore Dow Dunton to cut the lead to six, 21-15. The Falcons went back up by eight after a made layup from Isaiah Lewis to put the score at 23-15. 

The Falcons tied the game, 37-37, on a Qualon Wilkes free throw with 3:33 left in the first half, but senior Cody Lang grabbed the next rebound and set up a 3 from freshman Kavon James to put the Hornets back ahead. Lynchburg led 47-42 at half.

Coming out of the break, Lynchburg opened up an 11-point lead after a Suggs 3-pointer. The Falcons held the Hornets scoreless over the next 4:30 and tied the game at 55-55 with 13:31 to play.

Albertus Magnus continued to lead with 5:30 left in the second half until Suggs made a 3-point jumper to put Lynchburg up, 72-70. The Hornets never trailed again.

Lynchburg got solid production off the bench as Dunton chipped in eight points and nine boards, while James and Reggie Davis added seven points apiece.

Friday marked the sixth year in a row Lynchburg's men's basketball team took home a win in the season opener.

The Lynchburg men's basketball team will be back in action on Saturday, Nov. 9 as they take on the Blazers of Hood in the MMI Tip-Off Championship at 3 p.m.

--LYN--