Limestone point guard Shawn Poppie drives past a St. Andrews defender Saturday. Ledger Sports Editor

St. Andrews’ David Truesdale scored a game-high 33 points, but Limestone still had enough offense to post a convincing 90-73 victory Saturday night.

Brandon Shipman led a balanced attack as the Saints shot a solid 53 percent from the floor in winning their conference opener. St. Andrews falls to 4-1 and 0-1 in the CVAC.

“We made baskets,” Limestone coach Larry Epperly said. “Our offense was pretty efficient.”

Thanks to point guard Shawn Poppie, who handed out a game-high 13 assists. He also grabbed six rebounds and scored 13 points.

Poppie and Shipman triggered a second-half 15-2 run that broke the game open. Limestone was leading 46-39 when Shipman hit three free throws after being fouled on a 3-point attempt. Shipman added a three-pointer before Ben Touchberry’s stickback put the Saints up by 16.

Poppie had a breakaway layup then fed Shipman for two straight uncontested layups that capped the spurt. That made it 73-51 with 10:07 left to play - and the Saints coasted from there.

Marquintus Jones added 17 points and Touchberry had 13 points and nine rebounds for the Saints, who had six players in double figures.

Despite shooting 52 percent in the first half, the Saints couldn’t shake the Knights because of Truesdale, who keyed a run that trimmed a 14-point deficit to just six midway through the first half.

Truesdale’s three-pointer pul-led the Knights within 33-30 before Sumner Benton had a basket to fuel a spurt that gave the Saints a six-point lead at the break.

Benton added 12 points and Saints center Darrell Tate had 11 points despite picking up two quick fouls in the first half.

The Saints turned the ball over just 14 times - a big improvement over their recent performances.

“We didn’t commit turnovers and were precise on offense,” Epperly said.

But the Saints were outrebound badly by the Knights, who had 50 rebounds, including 25 offensive rebounds.

“That’s something we still have to work on,” Epperly said.

The Saints (2-3, 0-1) will host Queens on Wednesday in another key early-season conference showdown.