EMORY, Va. – The Eastern Mennonite University Men's Basketball Team (9-4, 2-2 ODAC) used a 20-7 run over the final 5:24 of the game to defeat Emory & Henry College (2-8, 0-3 ODAC) by a 78-71 score in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play Saturday afternoon at Bob Johnson Court.
The Royals jumped out to an 8-0 lead 2:34 into the contest after a pair of three-point baskets. The Wasps then got themselves going, responding with a 25-8 run which covered 8:19 for a 25-16 advantage. Eastern Mennonite then scored the next 11 points of the game to go back ahead, 27-25, but Emory & Henry answered with a 17-5 scoring spurt to lead 42-32. A jumper at the buzzer by EMU's Adam Burroughs made the halftime score 42-32 in favor of E&H.
After the break, Eastern Mennonite began to claw its way back into the game, trimming the Emory & Henry lead to two (50-48) with 13:06 on the clock. The Royals got their first lead since 6:03 in the first half at the 9:43 mark, but the Wasps responded with seven-straight points to go up 61-55. Down by six with 5:24 remaining, EMU took control and finished the game on a 19-7 run for the 78-71 victory.
Eastern Mennonite was led by Dajon Daniel's 19-point performance while Owen Longacre registered 11 points. R.J. Sims and Andrew Thorne each chipped in 10 points with Sims tallying three rebounds and three assists.
The Royals shot 49.1 percent (28-for-57) from the floor and held an 11-4 advantage on second chance points, despite being outrebounded, 32-31.
E&H junior guard Stephen Brown (Charleston, S.C.) had 15 points off the bench, connecting on a trio of three-point baskets. Senior forward Armando Murrell (Brooklyn, N.Y.) had 14 points and four rebounds while junior forwards Charles Smith (Fayetteville, N.C.) and Tyler Mullins (Hazard, Ky.) recorded 13 and 12 points, respectively. Smith finished the night with a game-high nine boards.
As a team, Emory & Henry shot 26-for-52 (50%) but fell victim to 15 turnovers, off which EMU scored 23 points.
The Wasps will return to action on Wednesday when they host the Quakers of Guilford College in an ODAC contest. Tipoff is set for 7:00 p.m.
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