LA PLUME (PA) – Junior guard James Jones scored a game-high 23 points as the Delaware Valley College men's basketball team held on for a 71-70 victory at Keystone College in the Aggies' season opener.

Delaware Valley, which is coming off its first conference playoff berth in 40 years, sweated out the end of Monday's game as, down two, Keystone's Coltin Ferrick snatched an offensive rebound off a missed three-pointer and was fouled with 1.1 seconds remaining. He sank the free throw, but was off on the second as the Aggies escaped with a road win over a Giants' squad that posted an 18-8 record a season ago.

Delaware Valley used an 11-0 run early in the first half to build a 20-10 advantage. The Aggies hit three consecutive treys in the spurt, including two by Jones. They upped the advantage to as many as 13 but a late Keystone run made it a 36-31 ballgame at the intermission.

The second half was a back-and-forth affair with neither team holding more than a five point advantage. The game was tied at 63-63 with just under seven minutes remaining when Delaware Valley scored four straight to take the lead for good. Chris Mayo hit a jumper and Carroll Mitchell followed with a pair of free throws for the points.

Keystone pulled to within one on two occasions in the final minute before Jones hit one of two free throws with 25 seconds to go. That led to Keystone's last opportunity, Ferrick's trip to the foul line and the Aggie victory.

Jones, an all-conference and all-region honoree a season ago, picked up where he left off as he was 7-for-14 from the floor (3-for-4 from 3-point land) and 6-for-9 from the foul line. He also added seven assists and six rebounds. Mayo finished with 17 points and seven boards while Jason Goldheimer also hit double digits with 10 points.

Tercel Taylor and Tim Benedix had 17 and 10 points respectively to lead the Giants. Kenneth Hardnett added eight points and a game-high 11 rebounds.