Southfield, MI - The Lawrence Technological University Blue Devils men's basketball team opened their season at home against the Point Park Pioneers, defeating them 75-61.

Gunnar Gustafson led all scorers with 22 points and grabbed a game-high 17 rebounds. Brandon Beavers added 14 points and game-high 9 assists and 8 steals. 

Point Park started the game off quickly, knocking down two early three-pointers to give them an early 6-0 lead a minute into the game. 

Lawrence Tech answered back with their own 6-0 run over the next three minutes to tie it at six. 

The teams traded baskets to even the game at 13 each, before a Sherron Schifino layup and a Jordan Stowe three-pointer quickly gave the Pioneers another five-point lead, forcing coach Pickens to call a timeout.

Coming out of the timeout, Alek Ivanovic hits a three then a Beavers steal and slam brought the game back even at 18 midway through the first half. 

Ivanovic and Blake Lund hit consecutive threes for the Blue Devils to give them a six-point lead, leading to a Point Park timeout.

The Blue Devils would get their lead up as high as 11 before the Pioneers ended the half on a 13-3 scoring run over the last 4:48 to bring the game with one.

LTU shot 48.1 percent from the field and 28.6 percent from three in the first half. PPU shot 46.9 from the field and 30.8 from three. 

In the second half, Eddie Flohr scored the first bucket of the half, reclaiming the lead for Point Park — momentarily.

The lead would change three more times in the ensuing minute before Lawrence Tech would take the lead for good.

A Carter Frantz triple would give the Blue Devils a one-point lead that they ultimately would never relinquish, starting a 23-5 run spanning 10 and a half minutes.

The Blue Devils lead was now 62-46.

While Point Park attempted to bring it within single digits, Lawrence Tech would not allow them to get closer than 13 to close it out.

The Blue Devils (1-0) return to action against Spring Arbor on Tuesday, October 26 at 7 pm in Spring Arbor, MI.