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RADNOR, Pa. – It took longer than expected but the #14 Cabrini College men's basketball team eventually got on a roll then held on to defeat the visiting Haverford College Fords 77-65 to open the 2011-12 season.  Tonight's win marks the Cavaliers 29th consecutive victory on the Nerney Field House floor.

After some early game jitters from both teams, the Cavaliers took an 18-12 lead seven minutes into the game.  The Fords chipped away at Cabrini's advantage and rallied for 10-4 run to tie the score at 22 with 7:13 to play before the break.  A Haverford three-point play by Brett Cohen gave the Fords the lead at 29-26 with just over four minute on the clock.   Haverford extended their advantage to six points and took a 38-32 lead to the locker room for the halftime break.

After the break, Haverford continued to put pressure on the Cavaliers.  With 14:39 remaining in the game, Cabrini found itself trailing by a game-high nine points at 49-40.  A lay-up by junior Jeremy Knowles sent the Cavaliers on a 12-0 run over the next four minutes, including six points by Knowles.  The Fords responded with four quick points of their own by Cohen to retake the lead.  It would be their final lead of the game.

Another Knowles layup and a jumper from sophomore Fran Rafferty game Cabrini a 58-55 lead they would not surrender.  Over the game's final nine minutes, each time the Fords made a run, the Cavaliers responded.  Haverford cut Cabrini's lead to one point four times, but the Blue and White always responded with a bucket of its own.  Cabrini sealed the game by going 8-8 from the charity stripe in the final two minutes.

Third-team Preseason All-American senior Cory Lemons was the do-everything guy for the Cavaliers, totaling 27 points, 10 rebounds, six assists, and four steals, while playing all 40 minutes.  Nineteen of Lemon's points came in the first half, helping Cabrini keep the game close.  Rafferty added 16 points, including 12 after the break.  Knowles and fellow junior A.J. Williams also recorded double figures with 10 and 11 points, respectively.  Sophomore Jon Miller recorded eight rebounds in the win.

Junior Cam Baker led the Fords with 24 points.

Cabrini will return to the court on Saturday, November 26 when they face Widener University.  The game will be played at Neumann University's Mirenda Center at 2:15 p.m. as part of Neumann's Coaches vs. Cancer Classic tripleheader.