San Rafael, Calif. — Dominican University men's basketball enjoyed an incredible evening under the Conlan Center lights, earning an impressive 81-35 victory over Pacific Union College.

Graduate student Justin Brown won the opening tip handily before going on the defensive end on the Pioneers' first possession and claiming Penguin territory by rejecting his shooter at the rim, running the same play back just over a minute later as he recorded his second of three blocks on the night.  

Graduate student Anthony Dennis put the Penguins on the scoreboard with a layup, followed by a Jake Blazona jumper that set the stage for a 13-0 Dominican run. Jordan Lopez stopped the bleeding for the Pioneers with a successful long ball, but the Penguins would go on another 9-0 run capped off by a Michael Diaz layup that brought the score to 22-3.

This pattern continued as the half went on while Dominican enjoyed a slew of runs that eventually gave it a 30-point advantage with five and a half minutes left in the opening frame. Freshman Jorden Josephs connected on a jumper that preceded a Zamaria Odom 3-pointer that brought a close to an impressive Penguin first half, with the home team leading by an insurmountable score of 44-17.

Josephs and Justin Brown teamed-up for a nifty play that concluded with a Michael Diaz layup to bring the score to 51-20 early in the final half. Justin Brown drained a 3-pointer on the next possession before giving the Dominican bench a wink on his way back down the floor as the Penguins enjoyed their 54-22 advantage. Josephs kept the momentum alive with a two-handed slam on Dominican's next trip down the court while Dominican embarked on another meteoric run, this time scoring 14 consecutive points before the Pioneers were again able to find the scoreboard.

With just under four minutes left in the game, head coach Justin Argenal elected to send his bench onto the floor, a move that was greeted by a standing ovation from the Dominican faithful. A pair of Pioneer steals brought the score to 75-35 before sophomore Connor McClean laid the ball off the glass for a pair of Penguins points. The roof was blown off the Conlan Center moments later when junior Quinten Vermuelen found himself standing on his sweet spot at the top of the key before sending a no-doubter towards the basket, connecting on the ball from deep to give Dominican an 80-35 lead.

Matthew Hallam tallied the last point for Dominican with a shot from the charity stripe before notching a monstrous block on the defensive end that sent Dominican smiling off the court as it secured an 81-35 win over Pacific Unions in front of the home crowd.

Odom led all scorers with 15 points and a trio of successful 3-pointers while Dennis, Diaz and Josephs all also reached double digits. Justin Brown finished with three blocks, and both Blazona and Josephs each finished with four assists.

Dominican will now make a quick transition as they head to Pacific Union tomorrow for game two of the mid-week double header.

Click here to listen to Penguin Radio's live commentary of tonight's win.