FERRUM, Va. – The Ferrum College Men's Basketball Team (2-1) picked up a 77-74 non-conference win over visiting Emory & Henry College (2-1) Wednesday evening at Shwartz Gym. The Panthers, which are picked to finish second in the USA South this season, led by as much as 13 early in the second half.
Emory & Henry got out to a 14-4 lead at the 16:12 mark of the first half and pushed the margin to 19-8 with 13:36 on the clock. The Panthers went on a 14-2 run over the next 5:47 to gain a 22-21 lead. After trading baskets, Ferrum finished the half on an 18-8 run for a 45-34 advantage at the intermission.
FC scored four of the first six points of the second half to extend the lead to 49-36 with 18:16 remaining. The Wasps began to slowly chip away at the lead, and used a 6-0 run midway through the half to make the score 61-56. Emory & Henry tied things up at 68 points apiece and eventually led, 70-68 with 2:33 remaining, for the first time since the 6:48 mark of the first half.
Ferrum made five of seven free throws down the stretch and Emory & Henry missed a trio of three-pointers down the stretch that would have tied the contest up including a shot from the right wing as time expired.
The Panthers were led by Jamal Pullen with 27 points and eight rebounds as he went 10-for-16 from the floor. Brian Clarke had 15 points, nine assists and three steals while Alek Ayer and Jordan Mann each chipped in nine points. Ferrum shot 50.9 percent (29-for-57) for the game and held a 38-34 rebounding advantage.
Emory & Henry senior forward Charles Smith (Fayetteville, N.C.) led the way with 16 points and added five rebounds as he shot seven-for-nine from the field. Senior guard Malcolm Green (Marshville, N.C.) notched 16 points, five rebounds and four steals while senior forward Tyler Mullins (Hazard, Ky.) chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and four steals. Senior guard Stephen Brown (Charleston, S.C.) also had nine points in the contest.
As a team, E&H shot 29-for-65 (44.6%) for the game and held a 23-19 advantage on points off of turnovers. The Wasps also outscored the Panthers, 40-36, in the paint.
Emory & Henry will have its first home game of the season on Saturday afternoon at 3:00 p.m. The Wasps will welcome the Vikings of Berry College to Bob Johnson Court at the John Rutledge King Center.
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