ST. LOUIS (Interstat) — Harris-Stowe used a balanced offensive effort and a closing sequence to beat Brescia 98-91 in a men’s NAIA basketball game at Board of Regents Gymnasium. The Hornets improved to 1-0 while the Bearcats fell to 0-1.

Brescia scored 52 points in the first quarter and 39 in the second. Harris-Stowe scored 55 in the first and 43 in the second. Harris-Stowe shot 38 of 66 from the floor and 7 of 20 from 3-point range. Brescia shot 31 of 56 overall and 7 of 18 from beyond the arc. The Hornets made 15 of 23 free throws, while the Bearcats made 21 of 35. Harris-Stowe finished with 34 rebounds, 12 on the offensive glass, 8 assists, 10 turnovers and 28 fouls. Brescia had 32 rebounds, 10 offensive, 5 assists, 17 turnovers and 21 fouls. Harris-Stowe scored 98 points from 75 possessions for an offensive rating of 130.8. Brescia scored 91 points from 80 possessions for an offensive rating of 113.0.

Ty Price headlined Brescia’s key performers, with Xavi Tirado, Ajani Blyden and Eugene Bryant also listed. Nashawn Davis led Harris-Stowe’s group, which also included Umar Lawson, Adolphus Cast III, Antonio Trotter, Jordan Williams and Dimitrije Stojanovic.

The Hornets opened with Nashawn Davis’s jump shot at the 19:05 mark of the first quarter. Brescia answered through Eugene Bryant, Ty Price and Braden Waller, and Ajani Blyden’s free throw and jumper helped the Bearcats stay within range. Price hit a 3-pointer at 13:57 and another at 6:30, while Adolphus Cast III and Umar Lawson kept Harris-Stowe’s offense moving. Jordan Williams made a 3-pointer late in the first quarter and another early in the second. Cinco McNeal added free throws for Harris-Stowe, and Greg Wilson scored on a jump shot and free throw. Terrance Johnson also connected on a first-quarter jump shot for the Hornets.

Brescia’s Xavi Tirado converted layups and free throws in the second quarter, and Ajani Blyden added a dunk at 9:56. Harris-Stowe’s Antonio Trotter made consecutive 3-pointers around the 15-minute mark of the second quarter. Price continued to carry Brescia with a 3-pointer at 11:36 and free throws at 9:32, while Aaron Morgan made a layup and a 3-pointer. Harris-Stowe answered with Nashawn Davis’s layup and 3-pointer, Umar Lawson’s free throw and dunk, and Dimitrije Stojanovic’s jump shot and layup. Braden Waller made a layup and free throw for Brescia, and Adolphus Cast III made two free throws. The second quarter closed with Umar Lawson’s dunk at 00:18 and Cinco McNeal’s free throw at 00:10 after Xavi Tirado’s layup at 00:11.

Harris-Stowe committed 10 turnovers to Brescia’s 17 and held a 12-10 advantage on offensive rebounds. Brescia attempted more free throws but made 21 of 35, while the Hornets made 15 of 23. Harris-Stowe made 38 field goals and 7 3-pointers. Brescia made 31 field goals and 7 3-pointers.

Interstat’s game simulator had projected Brescia to win 72-71, and its ELO system gave Brescia a 66.1 percent chance to win. Harris-Stowe next hosts St. Xavier (Ill.) on Oct. 30, while Brescia visits Cumberland the same day.