Box Score MEMPHIS—The No. 19 Christian Brothers University Bucs used a 27-11 run covering most of the first half to take a commanding lead, and they held on for a 72-61 win over LeMoyne-Owen Saturday afternoon at Canale Arena.

The Bucs (5-2) never trailed, but their lead was only two points at 7-5 when their run started on Cory McArthy (St. Louis, Mo./Christian Brothers College HS) three with 15:40 remaining in the first half.  When another McArthy triple capped the run with 4:17 remaining in the half, the Bucs led 34-16, and LeMoyne-Owen (2-4) would never come closer than 10 points again.

The Bucs' lead swelled to as many as 21 points on a McArthy three-point play that put them ahead 56-35 with 11:16 remaining, but the Magicians answered with a 16-5 run to cut the lead to 61-51 on an Edwin Shorter layup with 7:24 remaining.  The Bucs went inside to Sidy Sall (Dakar, Senegal/Seeds Academy) on their next possession for a bucket, starting a 9-2 burst that put the game on ice for good.

Michael Drake (Little Rock, Ark./Catholic HS) scored a career-high 25 points to lead the way for the Bucs, and McArthy's 18 points were one off his career-high.  Ryan Fleming (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle HS) added career-highs of 12 points and 10 rebounds for his first career double-double.

Brandon Hopson led the Magicians with 21 points, eight rebounds, and four steals.  Shad O'Garro scored 14, and Byron Ray added 12.

The Bucs shot 41.2 percent (21-of-51) overall and 30 percent (9-of-30) from three-point range, but they were a near-perfect 91.3 percent (21-of-23) at the free throw line.  The Magicians were 35.6 percent (21-of-59) overall, 40 percent (8-of-20) from beyond the arc, and 68.8 percent (11-of-16) at the charity stripe.  The Bucs out-rebounded LOC 37-34, but they committed 17 turnovers while forcing 15.

The Bucs return to action when they visit LeMoyne-Owen Wednesday, Dec. 19, at 6 p.m.  Their next home game is set for Sunday, Dec. 30, at 3 p.m. against Harding.