Jelani Hewitt scored 28 points, but Georgia Southern struggled to put away winless Carver Bible College in a 91-83 victory Monday night.
The Eagles (1-1) bolted to a 15-4 lead 6:11 into the game before the Cougars (0-5) rallied to within one, 19-18, on Marcus Fulks' jumper with 10:29 to play in the first half.
Georgia Southern led 40-36 at halftime, but twice allowed Carver Bible to pull within one point in the second half. On the final occasion, just after Bernard Parks' free throws made it 53-52 with 12:51 remaining, the Eagles responded with a 15-6 run over the next 3:41 to make it 68-58.
Hewitt scored 20 of his points in the second half as the Eagles built the lead to 13 and held on for their 26th consecutive home-opening victory. Rory Spencer had 18 points, Eric Ferguson 14 and Ben Drayton 12 for the Eagles.
Fulks led Carver Bible with 13 points.
