SHREVEPORT, La. – The University of Arkansas at Monticello men’s basketball team opened the 2010-11 season with a 82-70 win over NCAA Division I Centenary College on Wednesday night at the Gold Dome.

The victory headlined Allen Sharpe’s debut as head coach of the Boll Weevils.

The Boll Weevils (1-0) had four starters reach double-figures in scoring, led by juniors Sergio Crowe and LA Farmer with a game-high 19 points each. Junior Ricardo Hall added a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, while senior Jerrell Boswell chipped in with 15 points, 12 of which on three-pointers.

The Boll Weevils started the first half on a 9-1 scoring run and held the Gents (0-3) to only two field goals up to the 11:53 mark. Prior to Centenary’s second made field goal, UAM held its largest lead of the half at 16 points with 12:56 remaining.

That lead increased to as much as 21 points with 14:37 left in the second half after the Boll Weevils started the period on a 7-1 scoring run.

Centenary managed to cut the UAM lead to within single digits once in the second half with 6:44 left with UAM on top 61-52.

As a team, UAM shot 51 percent from the field (25-of-49), 31.3 percent from three-point range (5-of-16) and 71.1 percent from the foul line (27-of-38). Centenary finished the contest shooting 38.7 percent from the field (24-of-62), 23.1 percent from three-point range (6-of-26) and 61.5 percent from the foul line (16-of-26).

The Boll Weevils finished with a 39-34 margin on the boards, including a 34-25 lead on the defensive glass.