SEARCY, Ark. - The Tigers Men's Basketball team started their season with a bang taking down St. Cloud State University with a final of 56-51 at the Big Red Classic. 

Junior Kendarious Smith led Ouachita with 15 points and three rebounds going 5-8 from the field and 3-4 from three. Matt Stanley added a double-double for the Tigers recording 10 points and 10 rebounds in the season opener. 

Nine of the 11 Tigers that played scored in the game. Eric Brown put in seven points, four assists and three rebounds off the bench for Ouachita. 

The Tigers jumped out to a 8-5 lead capped off on a jumper by Grant Jones at the 13:18 mark. They extended that lead to five at 26-21 on a layup by freshman Leon Kalinic. Jumpers by Matt Stanley and Trey Harris gave the Tigers a seven point lead going into the break. 

Out of the half Stanley put in another basket to give the Tigers a nine point lead at 32-23. After a 5-0 run by St. Cloud State, Grant Jones drained a dagger from behind the ark extending the Tigers lead back to five. Ouachita succumbed an 8-0 run giving St. Cloud a lead for the first time all half, but Eric Brown and Ouachita came roaring back tying the game at 45. Larenz Nero in his first game in the purple and goal led a charge to retake the lead scoring five in a Tigers 9-0 run to take the lead at 54-48. In the final 2:33 of the game the Tigers defense only allowed St. Cloud State to score three points, and after KD Smith's last two free throws the Tigers claimed a 56-51 victory. 

Ouachita will be back in action tomorrow Nov. 9 to face off against Minot State to close out the Big Red Classic hosted by Harding University. The game will start at 2:30 p.m.; follow Ouachita Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for game coverage.