PEMBROKE, N.C. – Guard K.J. Jones scored 18 points to lead six Braves in double figures as host UNC Pembroke held off the Apprentice School 88-79 on Sunday afternoon at the English E. Jones Center.

The Builders jumped out to an early 21-15 lead on the strength of a 9-1 run over a 2:07 span finished by an Isaih Harrison jumper with 10:01 left.  UNCP (4-1) took its largest lead of the first half on a Cody Hughes 3-pointer with 1:58 left at 41-36.  Apprentice School closed to within 43-42 on an Andre Henderson free throw with 31 seconds left in a first half that saw five ties and six lead changes.

In the second half, the Builders scored the first four points to lead 46-43 on a Harrison jumper with 18:24 left.  UNCP scored the next seven points to take a 50-46 lead on a Chris Hargrove layup with 16:26 left to take command of the game and a lead they'd never relinquish.

UNCP was consistent from the floor for the game hitting 53.3% in the first half (16-of-30) and 53.8% in the second (14-of-26). Apprentice School came out of the game firing hitting 17-of-28 from the floor (60.7%), but cooled in the second half only hitting 15-of-35 (42.9%).  A decisive 42-22 UNCP advantage on the boards helped keep the Builders at bay in a second half rally.

Harrison was the game-high scorer with 23 points, while Tevin Andrews added 16 points and Tim Johnson chipped in a season-high 14 points and a team high eight rebounds coming off the bench.  Also joining the double-figure ranks were Henderson and freshman Latrone Demiel with 10 points each.

There's not much time for the Builders to dwell on this game as they'll travel to Laurinburg, N.C. for a 5:30 pm tip on Monday night against St. Andrews Presbyterian College in the home opener for the Knights (1-3).