Aiken, S.C. - The Lenoir-Rhyne Men's Basketball Team (3-5) defeated Virginia Union (5-6), 73-60, Friday evening on the first day of the 2011 Southeastern Tool-Don Cheeks-Dr. John Riley USC Aiken Pre-Holiday Classic at the Convocation Center.

Sophomore forward Allan Jones (Clemmons, N.C.) came off the bench to score a game-high 21 points while freshman guard A.J. McKenzie (Gastonia, N.C.) added 17 points and seven assists for Lenoir-Rhyne, who won back-to-back contests for the first time in two seasons.

L-R senior forward D.J. Blackmon (Albemarle, N.C.) scored 13 points in his first game back after being sidelined over a year because of injury.

Virginia Union was led by Damion Harris (Washington, D.C.) with 14 points and 12 rebounds while James Theus (Portsmouth, Va.) added 10 points in the losing effort.

L-R was in control throughout as it raced to a 39-18 halftime advantage and led by as many as 27 points (59-32 with 9:25 left) midway through the second half.

The Bears held the Panthers to just 37 percent shooting (23-of-62) for the contest including 15 percent (three-of-20) from behind the three-point line en route to the win.

On the final day of the tournament Saturday, Lenoir-Rhyne takes on Elizabeth City State at 1 p.m., while Virginia Union faces USC Aiken beginning at 3 p.m.