FLORENCE - The Newberry Wolves men's basketball team got their 2019-20 campaign off to an excellent start Friday as they defeated Francis Marion 85-71 on the road in the SAC-Peach Belt Challenge. The Patriots entered the game as the eighth ranked team in the region.

The game started off well for the Wolves as Luke Gibson hit two three pointers and Marshall Lange made two shots to give them an early 10-8 lead. Francis Marion would respond back quickly, however, and take a 28-18 lead with 11 minutes left in the first half. The Patriots continued to hold onto that lead throughout the half, although Newberry would claw back. Two free throws by TJ Brown late in the half cut the lead to eight points at 47-39 before Francis Marion extended the lead back out to ten points at half. Although the Wolves trailed 51-41, they played well offensively and were in good position.

The second half saw the Wolves put on a clinic at the defensive end of the floor as they held the Patriots to just 20 points in 20 minutes of play, destroying Francis Marion's efficiency. Newberry came out of the gate on a 14-4 run, as TJ Brown scored five points during the run, including the tying free throws. Angelo Sales, Jr. gave the Wolves their first second half lead at 58-57 as he converted a three point play the old fashioned way. The Wolves would continue to extend their lead out, as they led by seven with just under eight minutes left when Lange hit a three pointer. Later, with the Wolves leading just 71-67, the stifling defense would come into play.

Newberry held the Patriots to just three points in four minutes and continued to lead 77-70 as Sikander Nielsen hit a three pointer. Lange and Brown then closed the game out as they combined for eight points down the stretch, sealing the upset victory.

Lange and Brown were two of five Wolves in double figures in the contest, as the five starters combined for 80 of the 85 total points. Preseason all-conference pick Angelo Sales, Jr. led the Wolves with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Luke Gibson made three three pointers and notched 17 points of his own. Brown scored 16 points while going 7-8 from the free throw line and led the team with nine rebounds, and Lange had 15 points and seven rebounds. Quandaveon McCollum rounded out the double digit scorers as he posted 13 points on 6-8 shooting and added seven rebounds of his own. 

Newberry will look to continue their excellent start to the season tomorrow as they take on the regionally ranked UNC-Pembroke Braves.