DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – A game-high 18 points by sophomore guard Matt Knowles, along with ten points each from sophomore forwards Steve Leonard and Patrick Mekongo paced Ursinus as the Bears (3-7) defeated RPI (2-6) 59-53 in the Land of Magic Classic Sunday night.

The Bears have now won three straight, and rallied from an early eight-point deficit.

Trailing 10-2 just under seven minutes to the first half, Ursinus went on an 11-2 run over the next four minutes to take a 13-12 lead on a jumper by freshman guard Matthew Alden with 8:37 left.

From there, Ursinus never trailed and went up by as much as nine taking a 27-18 lead into halftime.

In the second stanza, it was more of the same as the Bears withstood an early charge by RPI, as the Bears lead slipped to three at 27-24 withh 16:42 left. However, a basket by Mekongo and two foul shots from freshman forward Remi Janicot got Ursinus back up 31-24.

RPI would get within one at 33-32 at 9:10 left on a basket by Brian Hatcher, but, Ursinus could go back up five on two foul shots by Alden and a layup by Mekongo.

RPI was led by 12 points from Nate Kane and Chase Almond.

Mekongo had a game-high 12 rebounds, 11 of them defensive. Freshman guard Brian Rafferty handed out 11 assists.

Ursinus will take on Lebanon Valley on Tuesday in the Bears' second game in Florida.