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The Bearcat men's basketball team recovered from a sluggish start in its season opener to defeat Penn State-Fayette 83-53.

Three players scored in double figures for the Bearcats. led by freshman Isaac Turner, who netted 22 points in his collegiate debut, including a 3-for-4 showing from the three-point line.  BJ McGill added 18 points and Dennis Bassich 14, as the Bearcats out-scored the Lions 67-37 over the final 25 minutes of regulation to coast to the win.

Saint Vincent led 7-2 in the early going after a three-pointer by Bassich, a junior transfer making his SVC debut.  The Lions later tied the game at 10 before Saint Vincent scored the next four points.  David Winns, who led Fayette with 16 points on the night, scored four consecutive points a few minutes later, tying the game once again, this time at 16.

After that, the Bearcats took control of the game.  After a McGill free throw gave the hosts a one-point lead, Turner scored off a no-look pass from freshman Nic Martin, then a turnover led to a McGill dunk that made it 23-16.  Martin then stole the inbound pass and added two more SVC points.  A bucket by Turner then ended the 11-point run, and the Lions were never able to recover.

Saint Vincent extended the lead to 14 by the half, 38-24, and the second half became a showcase for some SVC newcomers.

Freshman Mike Burroughs scored six straight SVC points to start the second half, then later it was Turner who took over, adding nine points to his first half total of 13, and tallied a team high seven assists on the night.  Martin contributed eight points - a perfect 4-for-4 from the floor - to go along with five steals.

On the boards, McGill had a team high 8 rebounds, while Armani Fountain had six, along with four blocked shots.

Winns topped all rebounders in the game with 9.

The Bearcats will return to action on Friday evening at 6PM, facing Penn State-DuBois in the first round of the Mount Aloysius College Tournament.