On the strength of Adante' Holiman's career-high tying five three-pointers, Georgia Southern men's basketball (1-0) opened the season with a victory over Northern Illinois (0-1), the final home opener at Hanner Fieldhouse.
"The crowd was awesome. It's my first toilet paper experience, and that was pretty cool," head coach Charlie Henry said "It didn't take us too long to get to it. Our fans are awesome, and they've been so good to me and my family. We want to represent them well and give them good basketball to watch. I can't wait to do it again next year in the new arena."
In a time-honored tradition at Hanner Fieldhouse, Eugene Brown III knocked down the opening three and point of the game, and fans threw toilet paper onto the floor as the Eagles led 3-0.
Right after the first media timeout, Eren Banks knocked down a three to lead 18-10. Northern Illinois battled back to make it a one-point game, and then the Eagles regained a six-point lead after Micah Smith's second-chance tip-in.
Holiman's second three of the game made it a nine-point lead, which ballooned to as much as 18 after Dontae Horne's layup following the under-four. The Eagles headed into the locker room up 40-24.
The Eagles shot a blistering 55.6 percent from the field in the opening half.
The Huskies never cut into the lead any further as the Eagles remained in front by more than 13 for the remainder of the second half. Tyson Brown's and-one made it a 19-point lead.
With 4:01 remaining, Nate Brafford hit a three to make it a 15-point lead again. Holiman added another pair of threes in the second half to tie his career-high with five made.
Horne sent an alley-oop to Bradley Douglas to seal the deal as the Eagles won by a score of 80-65, winning the first leg of the MAC/SBC Challenge.
Holiman (19) led the charge as four Eagles scored in double figures, with Douglas (17), Brown (10) and Brown III (10) joining him.
"My teammates got me the ball in open situations," Holiman said. "They had drive and kicks, they were wide open, and I ended up being open. I appreciate them for finding me in those situations."
Brafford led the Eagles with seven boards, and Horne filled the stat sheet with five points, three rebounds, five assists and two steals in the win.
The Eagles earned their first non-conference win since the 2022-23 season and first victory over Northern Illinois since 1998. The team hit 12 threes and shot 48 percent from the field and 44 percent from three.
The Eagles will head to the road for their next matchup, taking on UNCW on Friday.
