ASHEVILLE, N.C. ? Senior twin brothers Chavis and Travis Holmes combined for 55 points to lead VMI past UNC Asheville, 114-105, in a Big South Conference game Saturday evening at the Justice Center in Asheville, N.C.

Chavis Holmes hit 10-of-15 shots from the field and scored 24 of his game-high 29 points in the second half to lead the Keydets, while Travis Holmes hit 8-of-13 from the floor and 8-of-9 from the line to finish with 26 points, along with his seven assists and six steals.

VMI moved to 6-2 on the season, its best start since 1976-77, and won its first two Big South conference games for the second-consecutive year. The Keydets also prevailed for the third straight time on the Bulldogs' home court.

Both teams placed five players in double figures and shot the ball well during the contest, combining for 31 three-point field goals.

The Keydets shot over 59 percent for the game, including 69% (18-26) in the second half, and they dropped in 15-of-27 trey attempts for a 55% success rate. UNCA shot 56% for the game and nailed 16-of-28 from long range.

Joining the Holmes twins in double figures was freshman guard Keith Gabriel who scored all 17 of his points in the first half, including five 3-pointers. Sophomore guard Austin Kenon added 17 points, and freshman forward Michael Sparks chipped in 15 points.

The Bulldogs also placed five in double figure scoring and were led by senior forward Reid Augst with 29 points, followed by sophomore forward John Williams (18), junior guard Sean Smith (17), junior forward Jason Ridenour (15) and freshman guard J.P. Primm (14).

VMI led 66-63 with 14:30 left in the second half but surged to a double-digit lead over the next seven minutes following a 26-14 run that started with a Sparks three-pointer from the left baseline at the 14:27 mark. The Holmes twins, who played scholastically at nearby Christ School in Hendersonville, N.C., then went to work, spacing the floor and hitting driving layups and free throws. Chavis tallied 10 points, while Travis scored six during the key stretch.

The lead grew to as many as 17 points (100-83) when Chavis converted a pair of free throws with 5:22 left. It marked the fourth game this season the Keydets had hit the century mark in scoring.

But the Bulldogs would not go down quietly, as a layup by Primm cut the VMI lead to 107-99 with 1:27 remaining. The Keydets were able to prevail with potent free throw shooting, converting 18-of-20 from the stripe in the second half including five-of-six in the final minute of regulation.

VMI handed UNCA only its fourth loss at the Justice Center over the last 24 home games. Three of the Bulldog defeats have come at the hands of the Keydets.

The first half saw three ties and three lead changes with neither team able to build a decisive lead. The Keydets rode the outside marksmanship of Gabriel (5 treys) in the opening half and led by as many as eight points at the 12:27 mark after the Bulldogs had built an early seven-point advantage, 10-3, just over two minutes into the game.

VMI also forced 20 UNC Asheville turnovers which led to 32 points, while the Keydets committed just nine turnovers, leading to 11 Bulldog points.

The Keydet win snapped a four-game conference win streak by UNCA, which has dropped its fifth game overall on the year.

VMI returns home to Cameron Hall Tuesday night to face Campbell University at 7 p.m. The teams squared off Nov. 24 in Buies Creek, N.C. and the Keydets prevailed 97-92. Tickets for the game can be ordered on-line at vmikeydets.com or by calling 540-464-7266.

UNC Asheville returns to action hosting Catawba College Saturday, December 13 at 4:30 p.m.