BELOIT, Wis. - Beloit's men's basketball team battled hard Tuesday night in their first conference game of the season, which resulted in a 50-47 win against Lawrence University. In what was a hard-nosed defensive battle throughout, Beloit held Lawrence to just 33 percent (17-51) shooting, including 21 percent (6-28) from 3-point range.

Neither team scored for the first two and a half minutes of the game, which featured two ties and four lead changes in the first half. Lawrence (3-4, 0-1 MWC) scored six consecutive points to take an early 9-4 lead, before Beloit tied it at nine. After a Lawrence 3-pointer gave the Vikings the lead a few minutes later, Beloit (4-3, 1-0 MWC) answered with a basket by Azeez Ganiyu and a 3-pointer by Clayton Jenny, which was the beginning of a 13-4 run to end the half, giving the Buccaneers a 22-16 halftime lead.

Lawrence cut that lead in half with a 3-pointer by Johnny Semany to open the second half. Then in a blink of an eye, Beloit extended their lead to 16 thanks to a 13-0 run in about a five and a half minute span. Lawrence then answered that with a 14-2 run of their own to cut the lead to four with under six minutes remaining. Beloit extended that lead to eight in the final minutes, but Lawrence continued to fight, carving the lead to two with 13 seconds to play. After a Beloit turnover on the inbounds pass, Lawrence missed one of two free throws, cutting the lead to a single point with10 seconds on the clock. Beloit then closed out the game with a pair of free throws to escape with the victory.

Reigning Midwest Conference Performer of the Week Azeez Ganiyu led Beloit with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds (four offensive), while Jenny and Brian Rusch each scored nine points. Michael Myles added eight productive points, including a pair of 3-pointers, in just 10 minutes off the bench.

Lawrence was led by Adnan Sarancic's game-highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds (four offensive). Parker Prahl added 11 points off the bench for the Vikings.

Beloit will try to remain undefeated in conference play on Saturday, when they'll host Monmouth College. That game will begin at 3 p.m. at Flood Arena in Beloit, Wis.