OWINGS MILLS, Md. – Stevenson junior guard Christian Roberts scored 28 points to break the single game scoring record for the Hoopsville National Invitational and lead the host Mustangs past Wittenberg on the opening night of the three-day tournament, 75-65, Friday night at Owings Mills Gymnasium.

The win propels Stevenson to a 3-0 start, marking the second time in three seasons that SU has won its first three games. Wittenberg, meanwhile, falls to 0-3 on the young season.

Roberts led all scorers in the contest with his 28 points, the most that the guard has scored since topping the 30-point mark twice during his freshman campaign in 2012-13. In the process he surpassed the previous single game invitational scoring record of 27 set last year by Birmingham Southern's Griffin Schamp. The junior went 15-of-16 from the line to also set a new tournament record for free throws made and attempted.

Junior Erik Fisher was also in double figures for the Mustangs, scoring 17 points while also grabbing five rebounds.

The Mustangs and the Tigers started at a frenetic pace, but neither team could pull away from the other in the first-ever meeting between the two schools. Tight defense caused poor shooting numbers early and kept the scoring low as both teams could only momentarily establish a three-point lead.

Sam Collins led the Tiger attack in the opening period, scoring seven of his 14 points in the first half.  After Collins gave Wittenberg a 14-12 lead, Stevenson ran off six straight open the largest lead of the night to that point at 7:15.  isher knotted the game at 14-14 on a lay-in, and then turned provider with a nifty inside feed to classmate Sean Farr to give the Mustangs the lead.  Just minutes later, senior Colby Giacubeno lofted in a deep jumper to push the lead to four at 18-14.

Roberts then extended the lead to 20-14 with a pair of free throws, but Cody Phillippi immediately pegged back for the Tigers by nailing a deep three-pointer and cutting the lead to one. 

The back-and-forth action continued as Stevenson attempted to run at every chance, but Wittenberg slowed the pace. Roberts was able to take control down the stretch, though, boosting Stevenson to a 31-25 halftime lead, courtesy of 16 first half points. 

The Mustangs opened the second half with energy as a defensive stop led to a run-out and dunk by sophomore Ryan Hill. After a steal sophomore Darius Walker, Hill converted at the other end and was fouled, completing the three-point play at the free throw line to give SU a 36-25 lead. The early run grew to 5-0 as Fisher hit 1-of-2 at the line after being fouled under the basket for a 12-point lead. 

Turnovers allowed Wittenberg back into the game and the Tigers answered with six straight points to cut the lead in half to six, 37-31.

Roberts answered for the hosts, but the teams went basket for basket in their next trips as the lead hovered around double digits. Stevenson started to pull away midway through the second period for a 48-35 lead, thanks to a suffocating defense. The Mustangs caused 14 turnovers in the game while also rejecting four shots.

Wittenberg made another run, however, and cut the lead to seven 53-46, on a triple by Landon Hormann. The Mustangs continued to hold the Tigers at bay with a seven-point cushion until the visitors used a mini 5-0 run to cut the lead to four, 61-57, with 1:49 left.

Stevenson returned the favor with fast-break points, including a lay-up by Fisher on an assist by Walker to send the lead back to six. The Mustangs then salted the game away at the line, scoring ten straight points on free throws to complete a 75-65 victory.

The Mustangs have the day off on Saturday before closing out the weekend by hosting Chicago at 1:00 p.m. on Sunday afternoon.