DUNBAR, W.Va. -- After leading by as many as twenty-one and taking a seventeen-point lead into the locker room at halftime, Davis & Elkins outlasted a late charge by Shaw University to survive 80-77 in the season-opener at the Earl Lloyd Classic inside the Walker Convocation Center.

The Senators first-half offensive attack was fueled by twenty fast break points and a solid 66.7% shooting, including 53.9% from three-point range. Shaw shot just 37.5% from the floor and 30.8% from beyond the arc. D&E led Shaw 47-30 at the half.

D&E cooled off in the second half, shooting 33.3% from the floor and 18.2% from three-point range.

Four D&E players scored in double figures in the contest.

Sam Rolle IV led the Senators in scoring with 16 points on 5 of 11 shooting. Rolle also grabbed 5 rebounds and dished out 5 assists.

Tristan Starks scored 14 on 5 of 12 shooting. Starks scored twice from three-point range and was 2 for 2 from the free throw line.

Vadim Clanet scored 13 points on 5 of 8 shooting. Clanet was 3 of 6 from three-point range.

Malachi Hampton scored 11 points coming off the bench in just 13 minutes. Hampton was 3 for 5 shooting and 2 of 4 from three-point range.

Charleston Ponds chipped in 8 points and 5 rebounds.

Nicolas Silva and Dontrell Jenkins each scored 7 points.

Clarens Pierre and Ben Gilliam scored 2 points apiece.

Shaw outscored D&E 47-33 in the second half in a comeback bid that fell short as D&E won 80-77.

Up next
The Senators take on Winston Salem State Saturday, November 11 at 2pm in Day Two of the Earl Lloyd Classic. WSSU fell 74-67 to host West Virginia State on the first day of the tournament.