NEW ALBANY, Ind. - The No. 24-ranked IU Southest men's basketball team picked up right where they left off at home last season with a 106-88 victory of Mid-Continent University as part of the 5th annual Joe b. and Denny Classic presented by Holiday Inn Lakeview .

The Grenadiers (1-1) were led by freshman Jake Simpson's 19 points and sophomore Joe Lawson's 14 points and 11 rebounds. Larry Thompkins II had 27 points for the Cougars.

The Grenaiders had a 50-35 led at hafltime after shooting 49 percent in the first half. IU Southeast was on target from downtown shooting 43 percent from the field.

IU Southeast has six players score in double figures and their strong defense held Mid-Continent to 40 percent shooting.

In the first game of the Joe B. and Denny Classic Life University defeated Miami-Hamilton 112-79. Isaac Carr had 21 points for Life.

Day two of the tournament will feature Mid-Continent against Life at 1 p.m. and Miami-Hamilton vs. IU Southeast at 3 p.m.