DANVILLE, VA – Chris Thomas scored a school record 30 points to go along with 13 rebounds leading the William Peace men's basketball team past Columbia International, 90-78, on the first day of Averett's Cougar Classic.

Three other Pacers scored in double-figures including Nate Strother, Shawn Shaffer, and Jalen Vince. 

Strother scored 17 off the bench thanks to five three-pointers, the second most in school history.  He also registered five rebounds and a pair of assists. Shaffer had 11 points, eight rebounds, and two assists with Vince adding 10 points, four rebounds, and four assists.

The Pacers (2-1) drained 11 threes compared to an 0-5 outing from beyond the arc for CIU. They also forced 20 turnovers leading to 26 points and scored 29 second chance points to only 10 for the Rams.

WPU never trailed in the contest after Thomas scored the first bucket of the game, and they led by as many as 18 in the first half following back-to-back threes from Strother at the 6:38 mark.  The Rams didn't go away though cutting it to a nine point, 47-38, heading into the break.

CIU (1-5) stuck around the entire second half thanks in large part to the efforts of Kindrick Anderson who also dropped 30 in addition to five rebounds, two assists, and three steals.  They went on a 7-0 run cutting the Pacers lead to only four a few minutes into the half and trailed, 69-64, with eight minutes left in the game.  However, the Pacers were able to weather the storm and eventually pull away for the win.

The Pacers will return to action at the Cougar Classic tomorrow against the Wasps of Emory & Henry at 5:00 p.m.

Video Coverage and Live Stats will be available for the contest.

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