CLINTON, Iowa - The Ashford University (3-1, 0-0 MCC) men's basketball team protected its home court and gritted out a hard-fought win over nationally recognized Judson University (1-2, 0-0 CCAC), 80-75, on Tuesday evening in Kehl Arena.

Senior guard Byron Emerson of Rockford, Ill., led all players with 20 points, Daniel Joiner of West Chicago, Ill., chipped in 16 and Ashford received a stellar shooting effort from its frontcourt.

Junior guard Mike Relerford of Rockford, Ill., handed out seven assists, all in the first half.

Judson NAIA Honorable Mention All-American, Landon Skinner, scored 18 points and sophomore Josh Edwards led his team with 19.

The Eagles were acclaimed in the preseason NAIA Div. II Top-25 Coaches Poll, garnering 11 votes, but the Saints were able to successfully avenge last year's track meet, a 112-100 defeat in Elgin, Ill.

"Tonight was a big win for our team because we weren't really sure where we were after our first couple games," AU Head Coach Andy Eberhart said. "We came out more focused tonight and our defense in the first half was really good. In the second half we gambled a little bit and lost some of our focus with the lead."

Post players and sophomores Peter Tanzillo of Kewanee, Ill., and Marvis Kidd of Hazel Crest, Ill., were perfect from the field, combining to go 6-for-6, while Tanzillo converted all five of his attempts from the free throw line.

Other than the game's opening field goal (layup by Skinner), the Saints never trailed from the opening whistle and gradually built on its lead throughout the first half.

AU opened with a 20-9 run and the Saints capped a 10-3 run to end the first half with a pair of free throws by Emerson.

Emerson (8-for-8) and Joiner (7-for-7) were perfect from the charity stripe as Ashford cashed in on 84 percent of its trips to the free throw line.

The Saints preserved an 18-point lead at the half, leading 49-31 at the break, before Judson made its charge in the late stages.

AU's 18-point advantage nearly dissolved in the second half as Judson climbed within one point (66-65) after a Brian Sherwood jumper with five minutes and change remaining

Ashford pulled ahead by seven after a pair of free throws from Tanzillo with just over two minutes remaining and forced Judson's hand to resort to fouling.

"Judson came in taking away the kick to our shooters and they wanted us to drive it so they could run," Eberhart said. "I like to play fast, but not at their pace and we came in focused tonight prepared to deal with the tempo."

The Saints have another shot at a nationally ranked team this week as they face No. 14 Briar Cliff University on Saturday as part of the Catholic Classic. Ashford opens the tournament on Friday and is scheduled to face Mount Marty College at 5:30 p.m. in Sioux City.