Lafayette, LA -- (Sports Network) - R.L. Horton scored a game-high 20 points to lead the Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles to a 79-72 victory over the UL- Lafayette Ragin' Cajuns in a non-league affair at the CajunDome

Maurice Bolden also added 16 points and 10 rebounds for the Golden Eagles (1-0), while Gary Flowers chipped in with 12 points and eight rebounds.

The Ragin' Cajuns (0-1) were led by Randell Daigle and Lamar Roberson, who each came off the bench to score 14 points apiece in a losing effort. Tyren Johnson also netted 13 points, while Travis Bureau and Courtney Wallace chipped in with 11 points apiece.

Despite shooting just 9-of-21 from the field in the first half Southern Mississippi still managed to take a 31-28 lead at the break.

The Golden Eagles pulled away in the second stanza, knocking down 53.8 percent of their field goals, en route to a seven-point victory.

Foul shooting proved to be the difference in this contest, as the Golden Eagles outscored ULL 27-12 from the charity stripe.