MOORE, Okla. - Coming off of their 2015-2016 NCCAA D2 National Championship, the Randall University Saints Men's Basketball team began their season Tuesday; beating the NAIA D2 Bethany College Swedes (Lindsborg, KS) 81-65 in the season opener for both teams. The Saints were lead by 2015-2016 NCCAA D2 National Player of the Year, Trey Sneed (Edmond, OK/Edmond Memorial High School), who dropped 30 points while grabbing 8 rebounds. Xavier Hunter (Oklahoma City, OK/Fort Scott CC) adding 18 points, Antonio Wilson (Oklahoma City, OK/NW OK State) scored 15 points and dished out 4 assists, and newcomer Isaac Bowles (Detroit, MI/Crossroads College) contributed 7 points and 9 rebounds off the bench. 

1st Half: The Saints jumped out to an early lead to start the season, getting up 15-2 on the Swedes with 16 minutes left in the first half. Ten minutes into the half the Saints held onto a 23-9 lead thanks to a bucket from Bowles. The Swedes knocked in a pair of free throws with 3:13 remaining to cut the lead to six, 33-27. From there on the only points in the first half would be scored from the free throw line, leaving the score at halftime 40-29. 

2nd Half: The lead would stay around 10 for the first six minutes of the second half, until a layup and-one cut the Saints lead to 49-42. The Swedes kept the lead under 10 until the ten minute mark, when a pair of free throws by Hunter, followed by a Sneed field goal would extend the lead for good. An alley-oop in transition from Hunter to Bowles put the excalmation point on the win, and the Saints finished of the Swedes with a 81-65 win at home. 

The Saints are back in action at home on Thursday, October 27, when NAIA D2 Southwestern (KS) comes to Randall.