DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Mario Moody had a double-double of 20 points and 12 rebounds as Bethune-Cookman beat South Carolina State 69–54 in its Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference opener Monday in Moore Gym.

Randy Holmes and Diamante Lewis each added 13, with Lewis scoring seven on the Wildcats' 10-0 run that started the game. Holmes also posted a double-double, snagging 11 rebounds.

Quinton Forrest added 10 points as Bethune-Cookman (4-4 overall, 1-0 MEAC) won its conference opener for the first time since 2011.

After the 10-0 run, the Wildcat defense blocked more South Carolina State (4-5,1-1) shots (seven) than the Bulldogs made (six) en route to a 27-13 halftime lead.

Four Holmes free throws pushed the Wildcat lead to 31-13 in the opening minute of the second half. South Carolina State got as close as 50-40 on a Greg Mortimer three-pointer with 7:39 left, but a 15-5 run gave Bethune-Cookman a 65-45 lead with 3:06 left on a LaRon Smith jumper.

Tashombe Riley scored 12 points, Eric Eaves 11 and Ed Stephens 10 points for the Bulldogs.

The Wildcats face Akron Saturday.

NOTES: This was Moody's third double-double of the season ... B-CU is 4-4 after 8 games for the first time since 2010 ... Forrest has been in double figures three of the past four games ... Holmes has been in double figures the past two ... South Carolina State's field goal percentahe (.338) was the season low for an opponent.