ST. AUGUSTINE – Lander University used a balanced scoring attack and took advantage of 17 Flagler College turnovers in an 87-74 win in a Peach Belt Conference men's basketball game Saturday afternoon at Flagler Gymnasium.
Lander improved to 8-13 overall and 4-11 in the Peach Belt. Flagler fell to 7-12 overall and 4-11 in conference play.
Zane Rankin scored six of Lander's first eight points to help the Bearcats open the game on an 8-2 run. Lander never trailed in the game.
Rankin led four players in double figures with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field. Rahu Purdie added 16 points and dished out a game-high seven assists while DeShundre Rucker tacked on 14 points and seven rebounds. Srdjan Ivic came off the bench to provide 13 points, eight rebounds and six assists.
The Bearcats scored 22 points off of 17 Saints turnovers.
Vaughn McCall scored a game-high 22 points for the Saints.
Damerit Brown added 15 points while
Cortlin Davis came off the bench to score 16 points and grab four rebounds.
Chris Williams blocked four shots.
Flagler heads to the University of South Carolina Aiken on Wednesday (Feb. 7) for a 7:30 p.m. tip.