LISLE, Ill. - The first victory of the 2013-14 season for the Benedictine University men's basketball team was a special win as the 91-70 decision over Alma in the consolation game of the Carthage College Men's Basketball Classic marked the 1,000th in program history.

Benedictine led nearly wire-to-wire in the contest, taking the lead for good on a layup from Michael Blaszczyk with 14:11 to play in the first half. Leading by four with just over nine minutes to play in the first, the Eagles opened a 9-0 run on a pair of free throws from Blaszczyk. Tahron Harvey finished the run with a three to make the score 28-15 with 7:40 remaining in the first. The lead would reach 15 points in the half but Alma clawed within five at the break, 45-39.

Alma was within eight before a run of 13-0 put the game away. Tim McGinty scored six points during the span. Kevin Rollins opened the stretch with a three-pointer. Harvey finished the run with four straight point to make the score 72-51 with 8:45 to go. Alma pulled no closer than 15 the rest of the way.

McGinty tallied a career best 32 points off the bench with seven rebounds. McGinty made 10 field goals. Harvey added a career high 21 points including a perfect 11-for-11 from the free throw line. Blaszczyk added 11 in the first win of the year. Benedictine finished the game shooting 59.6 percent from the field and received 75 points off the bench.

"Today was such a great victory to earn the 1,000th in program history," head coach Keith Bunkenburg said. "Our team played hard for all 40 minutes. We didn't shoot well from the perimeter but received some baskets in transition. Tim (McGinty) had his best game as an Eagle."

Benedictine began play in the 1918-19 season and has played as St. Procopius College and Illinois Benedictine College before the change to Benedictine University in 1996. Among the 1,000 victories are nine seasons of 20 or more victories and six appearances in the NCAA Division III Tournament, most recently in 2010-11. Benedictine also appeared in the NCAA 'Small College' Tournament in 1966 and claimed a NIJCC Sectional Championship in 1929. The single season record for victories was set in the 1990-91 campaign at 23. Overall, Benedictine holds a record of 1,000-930-1 in 91 seasons of play (There was no play three years during World War II).

The 900th victory in program history occurred on February 4, 2006 against Eureka College at the Rice Center in an 81-70 decision. Current head coach Keith Bunkenburg has been a part of the 800th, 900th, and 1,000th wins in program history as the head coach and was part of the 700th as an assistant. Bunkenburg, a former player at Benedictine and member of the Hall of Fame, currently owns the second most wins for a coach in program history. The men's basketball program features 10 Benedictine Hall of Famers all-time along with the 1965-66 team.

The Eagles (1-2) were picked to finish fifth in the 2013-14 Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference poll and will return to action on Tuesday night at North Central.