FOND DU LAC, Wis. (SabreAthletics.com) – A 24-9 advantage from its bench and a solid effort down the stretch led the Marian University men's basketball team to a 62-53 home win over MSOE and moved the Sabres to 2-0 in the Northern Athletics Collegiate Conference for the first time since the 2007-08 season.

Seniors Sam Koslowski and Cody Veleke led the way for Marian with 14 and 12 points, respectively. Elan Solvik set a career-high with a game-high 11 rebounds to go with his seven points, while Montrell Hobbs once again turned in a double digit effort off the bench with 10 points and six rebounds.

Austin Stueck scored 12 of his game-high 18 points in the first half to become the lone Raider in double figures. MSOE shot just 38.8 percent (19-for-49) in the contest, while the Sabres registered a steady 44 percent (22-of-50) from the field. Eight second-half turnovers resulted in 11 Sabre points.

Marian improved to 3-3 overall, 2-0 in the NACC with the win, while MSOE suffered its first loss, falling to 3-1 (1-1 NACC).

Trailing 35-28 early in the second half, the Sabres embarked on a 12-0 run that turned the tide of the game. Back-to-back three's by Koslowski and Drew Binversie started the run, followed by contributions from Solvik, Hobbs and James Bartelt.

The Sabres would fall behind once more when MSOE grabbed a 50-47 advantage with 7:49 left. However, an 8-0 Marian run would ensue and the Sabres regained momentum and the lead, one they would not relinquish.

Marian trailed by three heading into halftime as Stueck's 12 points paced the Raiders to a 29-26 lead at the break. Hobbs led the Sabres with eight first half points and five rebounds, giving the hosts a tremendous boost with one of their leaders, Mike Keller, battling foul trouble.

Marian outscored MSOE, 32-24, in the paint and finished with a 39-26 edge in rebounds.

The Sabres will continue its busy week with their first league road test at Wisconsin Lutheran College Thursday, Dec. 5. Tip-off is slated for 7 p.m.