VALLEY FALLS, S.C. -- Deion Holmes came off the bench to score 21 points and Josh Cuthbertson added 10 points and 10 assists as South Carolina Upstate picked up its first win of the season by cruising past Division II Mars Hill, 91-66 on Monday night.

Malik Moore opened the game by drilling a 3-pointer 17 seconds into the contest and the Spartans held the Mountain Lions scoreless for more than four minutes while building a 12-0 lead. Ramel Thompkins bookended the first half by drilling a late 3 to send SC Upstate into halftime with a 57-24 advantage.

Holmes hit a 3-pointer four minutes into the second half that made it 68-36 and the Spartans pulled their starters.

SC Upstate (1-1) shot 45.8 percent from the field (33 of 72) and hit 12 of 32 from distance (37.5 percent).

Vernon Jackson led the Mountain Lions with 22 points and Luke Van-Rijn added 18.