WALESKA, Ga. -- In the first Southern States Athletic Conference game of the season for both teams, the Reinhardt College men's basketball squad raced past the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors 96-85 in its home opener on Tuesday night at the James & Sis Brown Athletic Center.  

Reinhardt never trailed in the contest and built a commanding 48-28 lead at halftime. The Eagles upped the advantage to 22 points on three occasions in the second half before Southern Wesleyan trimmed the final margin to 11.

Reinhardt shot 54.7 percent (35-of-64) from the field for the game, including 55.0 percent (11-of-20) from three-point range while the Warriors made 41.3 percent (31-of-75), including 27.3 percent (6-of-22) from three-point territory. The Eagles forced 23 SWU turnovers.

Leading the way for the winners was Quinton Spivey, who had 24 points, seven rebounds and a game-high four steals. Kordel Alexander tossed in 18 points while Vonte Samuel scored 15. Shawn Davis contributed 10 points off the bench while Andreaus Thomas finished with eight points and a game-best nine assists.

Reinhardt moves to 3-2 overall and 1-0 in SSAC play while Southern Wesleyan drops to 2-4 overall and 0-1 in the conference. The Eagles will host a non-conference contest against the Bryan College Lions next Tuesday, Nov. 25. Tipoff is slated for 8 p.m., following the women's game between Bryan and Reinhardt at 6 p.m.