NEWBERRY, S.C. --- Newberry College used a pair of second half runs including 15-2 late in the game as the Wolves posted a 79-60 win over visiting Tusculum University at Eleazer Arena in South Atlantic Conference men's basketball action.

Newberry's Malik Joseph led all scorers with 23 points while teammate Devario Sheppard accounted for a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds as the Wolves (2-6, 1-3 SAC) recorded their first league win of the season. The Pioneers (3-6, 1-3 SAC) suffer their third consecutive loss heading into the holiday break.

Tusculum's Josiah Morris led the Pioneers with his 18 markers including four 3-pointers, Connor Jordan added 10 points and Akeem Odusipe posted nine points and a game-high 13 rebounds including 10 on the offensive glass.

The Wolves (2-6, 1-3 SAC) dominated the boards as Newberry out-rebounded TU by a 46-33 margin which included 20 offensive boards resulting in 27 second-chance points.

The Pioneers finished the game shooting 33 percent from the floor including 9-of-37 in the second half for 24 percent. Newberry went 30-of-67 for the game (45%) including 50 percent in the second half. The Wolves also shot 12-of-16 from the free throw line (75%), while the Pioneers went 10-of-11 from the charity stripe (91%).

Tusculum led 34-33 at the half and extended its advantage to 38-34 early in the second period. Newberry responded with a 6-0 run to regain the lead and later added a 7-0 run to lead 54-46 with 9:34 remaining in the game.

Four minutes later, Tusculum would get a layup by Bryce Jackson to trail 60-53 with 6:14 to go. But the Wolves would go on a 17-4 spurt to take its largest lead of the game at 77-57 with 45 seconds left to put the game out of reach.

Tusculum returns to action on Dec. 30 when they travel to UNC Pembroke for a rematch with the Braves. TU rallied from a 19-point deficit last month to post an 81-80 win over UNCP.