Colorado Springs, CO -- (Sports Network) - Sean Taibi scored 22 points on 8-of-13 shooting from the floor, leading the Northern Colorado Bears to a season- opening 104-97 win over the visiting VMI Keydets as part of the Air Force Classic Tournament.

Jabril Banks was the next of five double-digit scorers for Northern Colorado (1-0), scoring 21 points in the win. Will Figures finished with 20 off the bench, while Jefferson Mason scored 14 and Robert Palacios added 13.

Chavis Holmes led all scorers with 27 points for VMI (0-1). Reggie Williams deposited 22, followed by Christian Hunter with 14 and Travis Holmes with 10.

The Bears shot a scorching 62.5 percent from the floor in the first half and held a 19-9 scoring edge from the foul stripe, as they took a 52-49 lead into the locker room at halftime.

Northern Colorado increased its efficiency in the second stanza, shooting 73.1 percent (19-of-26) from the floor in addition to going 12-of-17 from the charity stripe.

The Bears, thanks to their hot shooting, were able to overcome a whopping 30 turnovers in the contest. They will tangle with Air Force in the second game of the Classic on Saturday.