FLORENCE, S.C.  – Led by a combined 42 points from sophomores Shahmel Brackett and George Blakeney, the UNCP men's basketball squad earned an 85-68 victory over intrastate rival St. Andrews on Friday at the Zaxby's Tip-Off Clazzic at the Smith University Center in Florence, S.C.

The Braves (2-1, 0-0 PBC) used their inside game to notch 50 points in the paint compared to 20 by the Knights (0-2) and also accumulated a rebounding margin of +25 in the game, including a 20-6 advantage on the offensive glass. UNCP scored first and never relinquished the lead throughout the game, and only allowed the Knights to tie up the score on one occasion - the 18:36 mark of the first half with the score tied 2-2.

Brackett led the team with 22 points on 8 of 15 shooting from the floor, including 5 of 5 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed four rebounds, dished out five assists and garnered two steals in 32 minutes of action on the floor.

Blakeney, the team's leading scorer, notched 20 points on 6 of 10 shooting from the floor, including an 8 of 9 night from the free throw line. The 6-9 sophomore also grabbed seven boards in just 18 minutes of action.

Junior Nate Priest added 14 points and five rebounds in fifteen minutes of action. Priest recorded his scoring output behind a 6 of 8 shooting performance from the field. Fellow junior Mike Robinson added 10 points on 5 of 6 shooting from the field while also grabbing three rebounds in 18 minutes of action.

The Braves will conclude their action at the tournament with a matchup against Coker tomorrow at 6:00 p.m.