LAS VEGAS, Nevada – The No. 4/6 Angelo State men's basketball team took ownership of the best start in program history with a 92-80 win over Drury University in the initial game of the Holiday Hoops Classic on Friday afternoon.

"It was a good win and we will take that any day," said ASU Head Men's Basketball Coach Cinco Boone. "I thought Drury was a very solid defensive team and to see us get 42 points in the paint it means we have been doing something good in practice. Our offensive rebounding was outstanding and I loved some of the hustle plays we had this afternoon."

The Rams improved to 11-0 on the season under first year Head Coach Cinco Boone. The team surpassed the 2013 men's basketball team, which was coached by Chris Beard and started its season 10-0, for the record. Upholding its 20 plus point scoring margin average, ASU has now won seven of its 11 games and its last two by double digit figures. Drury dropped to 5-4 with the loss in its first meeting with ASU.

 "The credit goes all to the players," continued Boone on now holding the best starting record in program history. "With our administration and everybody is on board with us being successful, and the many parts that go into this, at the end of the day it's our players that have earned all of those 11 wins."  

The first half was a tight back and forth battle between the two teams. The Rams started the first half slowly, relinquishing a five point lead to start the game. A free throw from DeVonte' Pratt would jump start a 13-0 run that would see Omari Gudul pull down three of his six first half boards. This run gave the Rams the 15-7 lead; however, a Panther 3-pointer would bring it to an end. Gustavs Puhovs would immediately answer sinking a three of his own which was followed by a Prince Foster foul shot to give Angelo State a nine point lead (19-10) which was its largest of the half. Drury fought back to take a one point lead (40-39) with 2:49 left in the half. A Stedman Allen lay-up off of a fast break returned the lead to the Rams and took the two teams into the half with a score of 41-40.

The back-and-forth scoring continued throughout the second half with the lead changing 10 times. It wouldn't be until 14:34 had ticked off the second half clock that Tre Bennett would hit the team's first three of the half for the final lead change. The point guard went on to score seven consecutive points after the 3-pointer allowing ASU to hold on to its lead. With 2:12 left in the game and a score of 85-78 in favor of the Rams, seniors Stedman Allen combined with Omari Gudul combined for 9-2 run that gave ASU its largest lead of the game (12) and the win.

Allen led the team with both 23 points and 10 total rebounds. This earned the senior forward his first double-double of the year. He was 9-14 from the paint for a .643 shooting field goal percentage and 5-11 from the charity line for a .455 free throw clip. For his third game this season he pocketed three steals to add to his season total of 13.

Bennett followed with a team second 19 points and was 8-17 (.471) from the field. He led the team spreading the ball around for a team high eight assist. Defensively, he was one of four players to mark at least two steals and added 5 boards for the afternoon.

Gudul rounded out the top scorers, sinking 12 points for the game. He was 5-7 from inside the arc, marking a .714 field goal shooting percentage. This is the senior's third consecutive game scoring in double figures. His nine boards were second on the squad and he recorded a team high three blocks for the game.

The Rams return to the same court in Las Vegas tomorrow at 11 a.m. (PST)/ 1 p.m. (CST) to face a No. 16 ranked Rollins team out of the state of Florida. The game will be broadcasted on 1260 KKSA with Jeremy Bryant on the call.