Junior Bret Woolard's career-high 24 points helped the Denison men's basketball team open the 2014-15 season with a 58-52 victory over St. Vincent College on Saturday at the 44th Annual Marietta Shrine Tournament. The win marks the Big Red's second season-opening win in the last three seasons.

After trailing by as many as 10 in the first half, Denison went on an 8-0 run to shrink the deficit to 25-23. With time winding down in the half, senior post Briggs King pulled down an offensive board following a Darius White missed three and converted the putback to close the gap to 27-25 at the break.

The Bearcats opened the second half with the ball. However, their possession would be short lived as King would come up with a steal. The senior's takeaway eventually resulted in a game-tying layup by sophomore Matthew Bauer. DU took its first lead of the ball game 64 seconds into the second when senior Brad Woolard split a pair at the foul line, giving Denison a 28-27 edge.

Down one, Bauer drained a triple from the left side off a pass from the right block by Brad Woolard. Trailing 45-44, Bauer connected on another three ball in the left corner off a pass from King. SVC's Pat Jones answered on the ensuing possession with a three-pointer to regain a 48-47 lead.

Denison regained the lead for good when Bret Woolard scored on three-consecutive Big Red possessions to build a 53-48 lead with three minutes to play. The Bearcats got within two at 54-52, but two free throws each from David Meurer and King secured the six-point win. Saint Vincent was unsuccessful on three 3-point attempts in its final two possessions of the game.

Woolard's career-high 24 points came off an 11-for-13 performance from the floor, including a 2-for-3 showing from beyond the arc. Meurer added 10 points and two steals, while King finished the night with 11 rebounds, three assists and six points.

Jones led the Bearcats with a career-high 20 points. Sean Kett grabbed a team-best eight rebounds.

DU shot 46 percent (23-for-50) from the field, which included a 55-percent conversion rate in the second half (12-for-22). The Bearcats held a 38-36 edge on the glass, while Denison outscored SVC in the paint (38-20). The two teams exchanged the lead 13 times in the second half.

The Big Red improves to 1-0 on the season, while Saint Vincent falls to 0-1. Denison returns to the court on Wednesday when they welcome Washington & Jefferson to Livingston Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m.