DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The eighth-ranked Embry-Riddle Eagles opened their 2011-12 season with a Homecoming win over 26^th-ranked Milligan (Tenn.) on Saturday night in the ICI Center. The Blue and Gold move to 1-0 while Milligan slips to 1-2 on the year.

The Eagles got a bucket from Sam Ford to begin the contest and never looked back, never trailing in the contest. ERAU jumped out to a quick 7-0 lead after a three-pointer from newcomer Jeremiah Applin, causing Milligan Coach Bill Robinson to call a timeout. The hosts continued to look strong in the opening frame, extending their lead to 24-8 on the first of two Blake Touchard first-half threes.

The Buffaloes refused to fold, battling back to within five points, 28-23, thanks to back-to-back three-pointers, but Ray Graham and Touchard led ERAU to a 43-34 halftime lead, thanks to 8-of-11 shooting from the free throw line.

Coach Steve Ridder's squad held a 22-18 advantage on the boards in the first half, but turned the ball over eight times to Milligan's five. Graham and Touchard each had 11 points for ERAU, while Kyle Grisby led all scorers with 12 points in the first stanza.

Touchard fired up the home crowd with 10 points in the first five minutes of the second half, ballooning the Eagle lead to 55-43 at the 15:09 mark.

Milligan pulled within six at 56-50 with 13:12 left to play, but that was the closest they got, as the Eagles went on to outscore the Buffaloes, 39-22, the rest of the game.

One of the main storylines of the game was the number of free throws the Eagles shot, specifically Graham. Graham finished the game 17-for-22 from the charity stripe, breaking both the free throws made and free throws attempted record. As a team the Eagles shot 26-for-35 (74.3%), while Milligan only attempted 16 free throws, making seven (43.8%). Three Buffaloes fouled out, as the team was called for 27 total fouls to the Eagles' 19.

Graham ended the game with 27 points on 5-for-12 shooting from the floor. The DeLand, Fla. native grabbed nine rebounds and dished out an assist on the night.

Touchard led all scorers with 31 (9-for-14), seven coming from the line. He assisted on seven other baskets while picking up a block and a steal.

Applin was the other Eagle in double-figures, recording 12 points and grabbing three boards. Freshman DeForest Carter was impressive defensively, pulling down nine rebounds and blocking five Buffalo shots. Carter also recorded four assists and had two steals.

Grisby led the Buffaloes with 17, while Jordan Cross hit five threes for 15 total points.

ERAU outshot the visitors from the floor 53.7% to 41.8%, and outrebounded Milligan, 42-37.

The Eagles will travel to Winona Lake, Ind. for the KCCCF Tournament hosted by Grace College on Nov. 11-12.