NASHVILLE - Sean O'Brien scored a game-high 23 points to lead Westminster men's basketball over Shenandoah, 67-52.
Westminster improves to 6-4 with the win.
"We had a nice bounce back win today," said Westminster Head Coach Matt Mitchell. "We didn't play well offensively but we competed on the defensive."
The Blue Jays held the Hornets to 36% from the field.
After starting out the game with five straight points, the Blue Jays traded baskets with the Hornets until the score was tied at 13 with just under 12 minutes in the first half.
After a six-minute scoring drought from both teams, eight straight points from O'Brien put Westminster up 21-15 for the largest lead of the game.
Back-to-back buckets from Stu Hollandsworth helped close the first half with the Blue Jays on top 32-22, their first double-digit lead of the game.
O'Brien opened t he second half on a 7-0 run by himself, extending the Westminster lead to 15. Jimmy Villalobos added a three-pointer of his own to complete the 10-0 Blue Jay run to jump start the second half.
Westminster led by as many as 20 points in the second half on its way to victory, with the Hornets never coming within single-digits of a lead.
"Our effort on the offensive boards was the best it has been this season," said Mitchell.
Westminster's 21 offensive rebounds led to 15 extra possessions.
In addition to O'Brien's 23 points, he recorded five rebounds and an assist. Villalobos led the team in rebounds with seven while Carter Wands tallied six assists.
Westminster resumes SLIAC play Wednesday, Jan. 4 at MacMurray. Tipoff is set for 8 p.m.
"Hopefully we knocked off the holiday rust as we head into the conference season," said Mitchell.