NASHVILLE, Tenn.— The Drury Panthers withstood a second-half charge from Trevecca Nazarene and pulled away late for an 88-67 win in Nashville, Tennessee on Saturday.
 
The win gives Drury a 2-0 start to their season as they took both games in the season-opening Trevecca Classic. The Trojans fell to 0-2.
 
Drury owned a 48-32 lead at halftime but had their 16-point advantage chopped down to a single point, 61-60, with 10:03 remaining. After the two teams exchanged baskets, Trevecca Nazarene had an opportunity to take the lead but misfired on a three-point attempt, and Drury's Cal Hartley connected on a three-pointer with 6:00 remaining giving DU a four-point edge. The margin was never within a single possession again, and the Panthers outscored the Trojans 24-4 the rest of the way.
 
"Give Trevecca credit, they got thumped last night and didn't shoot it well, but tonight they came in wired up," said Drury head coach Steve Hesser. "To our credit, (down the stretch) we made a couple of effort-plays, got a couple of steals, then we took better shots, and the ball went in the basket for us."
 
Conley Garrison had a game-high 23 points while Hartley added 18, and Niekie Thomas finished with 13 points.
 
Austin Wills led Trevecca Nazarene with 21 points; all scored from three-point range.
 
Drury hit 14 of their 27 three-point attempts for 52 percent. The Panthers shot 48 percent from the field in the game, going 30 for 63.
 
The Trojans went 25 for 52 from the floor to shoot 48 percent but committed 23 turnovers in the loss.
 
Drury returns home for their next game as they host Harris Stowe State on Thursday at 7 pm in the O'Reilly Family Event Center.
 
 
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