LANSING, Mich. --  The Asbury University men's basketball team won its first game of the young 2019-20 season on Saturday afternoon at Great Lakes Christian with an 81-77 victory.

The Eagles move to 1-1 on the year with the win and will head back home to Kentucky following their two-game road trip in Michigan.

Asbury dominated the glass out-rebounding Great Lakes Christian 41-24 throughout the afternoon.

AU also shot at least 50 percent from the floor in both halves, as they shot 55 percent in the opening half of play.

A strong end to the first half and an 11-4 run put the Eagles ahead 46-36 at the break.

Asbury played exceptionally well early on in the second half and held its largest lead of the day at 18 points with 12:58 to play following a made jumper from Desmond Duke.

However, GLC would slice the lead all the way down to just two points at 74-72 with four minutes to play.

The Eagles would hold on to the lead though and remained in front following big shots from Leander Ridgeway, Siah Holifield, and Drew Delatte down the stretch.

Eric Powell's free throw in the closing seconds would give AU an 81-77 edge and make it a two-possession game to clinch the victory.

Powell led Asbury in scoring with 20 points, including an impressive 5-10 shooting from behind the arc.

Leander Ridgeway collected his second straight double-double with 17 points and team-high 12 rebounds. Ridgeway finished the day 8-13 from the floor.

Siah Holifield scored 18 points on 9-12 shooting and dished out a team-high four assists.

Drew Delatte was a perfect 4-4 from the field for eight points and nine rebounds. Caleb Bonny also chipped in with eight points.

Asbury returns to Wilmore on Tuesday for their home-opener against Thomas More. Tip-off is set for 7:30 PM.