WILMORE, Ky. – The Asbury University men's basketball team fell 73-55 to Thomas More in their 2019 home opener at the Luce Center on Tuesday evening.

AU drops to 1-2 on the year with the loss.

It was a slow start for the Eagles in the first half, who only scored 18 points on 26 percent shooting.

Thomas More shot 50 percent from behind the arc in the first frame and 47 percent from the field to build a double-digit lead at the break at 33-18.

Asbury played with poise and shot the ball much better in the second half, but the Saints remained ahead 48-35 early on. AU was able to cut the lead down to single digits multiple times, and sliced it down to 58-49 following a three-point shot from Desmond Duke, as the Eagles tried to get some momentum down the stretch. 

However, the Eagles were unable to get any closer as they only scored six more points the rest of the way and Saints extended their lead back to double figures at 65-52 moments later to put the game out of reach. 

AU finished 19-46 shooting from the floor and were 6-23 from three-point territory. Additionally, Asbury shot 11-18 from the foul line.

Senior Desmond Duke led the Eagles in scoring with 17 points on 6-13 shooting. Leander Ridgeway scored in double figures for the third straight game and finished with 16 points and seven rebounds.

Drew Delatte posted 10 rebounds and three points. Siah Holifield chipped in with seven points and Eric Powell added six.

The Eagles will be back at home on Thursday night at 7 PM against Kentucky Christian.