FULTON, Mo. (Nov. 12, 2023) - Buena Vista senior Zane Neuabaum turned in a game-high 23 points on Sunday afternoon, and in the process surpassed 1,000 career points, as the Beavers improved to 2-0 on the season with a 93-74 victory over Fontbonne University to complete the SLIAC/A-R-C Challenge.

Neubaum entered the contest needing only four points to reach the milestone, and he would do so with his second three-pointer of the game with 5:26 left in the first half that gave the Beavers a 34-29 lead. It turned out to be a big shot on multiple fronts as it sparked a game-changing 18-6 run to end the half and give the team a 49-35 advantage.

It was then Neubaum getting the second half started with a jumper just 23 seconds in. Koleson Evans gave the Beavers their first 20-point margin of the contest with his layup after six minutes had gone by. Neubaum later drilled another long range bucket to give the team its largest lead of 76-50 midway through. That would wind up being enough as the Griffins were unable to get any closer than 18 the rest of the way.

It was another strong performance at both ends of the floor for the Beavers, shooting 47.7 percent from the field overall and making 11-of-38 shots from downtown. It did struggle a bit at the free-throw line, converting only 20-of-36 attempts (55.6 percent).

The two teams combined to shoot 63 free-throws in the game.

Defensively, BVU held the Griffins, who were an NCAA Tournament participant a season ago, to only 3-of-12 shooting from long range and 40.6 percent from the field overall. The Beavers came up big on the glass by out-rebounding the Griffins 52-32, including a 24-13 margin on the offensive end.

Neubaum was 5-of-10 from beyond the arc and made all four free-throw attempts. He also chipped in with five rebounds, one steal and a block. Ryan Mendoza came off the bench and turned in 15 points and five rebounds, while Evans had 13 points and five boards. Sophomore Christian Stanislav just missed out on a double-double with 10 points and a team-high nine rebounds.

Charles Neslon led Fontbonne (1-1) with 16 points and six rebounds.

Buena Vista has a week off before hosting Northland College for its home opener at 1 p.m. on Nov. 19 inside of Siebens Fieldhouse.