BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Men's Basketball Team (8-5, 2-2 ODAC) ran its winning streak to six in a row Saturday with an 80-70 Old Dominion Athletic Conference win over Bridgewater College (3-9, 2-2 ODAC) at Nininger Hall. The Wasps, who led the entire way, hit 10 three-pointers in the victory going 10-for-22 (45.5%) from beyond the arc.
E&H jumped out to a 7-0 advantage in the first 1:36 of the game and pushed the margin to double digits after five minutes of play, 16-4. The Wasps steadily increased their lead to as much as 20 (41-21) with 74 seconds to go before the break, but the final three points of the opening period went to the Eagles for a 41-24 score at halftime.
After trading baskets early in the second half, Emory & Henry went on an 11-2 run for its largest lead of the game, 56-32, with 15:02 on the clock. BC began to chip away at the lead in the final 10 minutes, getting to within six points with 2:28 to go. Seven points in a row by the Wasps put the game out of reach, however as they would lead by 13 (78-65) with a minute left and held on for the 80-70 victory.
Emory & Henry was led offensively by junior guard Myles Turner (Richmond, Va.), who tallied 16 points, hitting all seven of his free throw attempts, adding three assists and three steals. Sophomore guard John Shelor (Giles, Va.) had 14 points on four-for-six shooting from beyond the arch while junior guard Ryan Gravley (Austinville, Va.) put up 12 points and five assists. Sophomore forward Chase Branscomb (Bristol, Tenn.) had 11 points and six boards and freshman forward Alic Wynn (Asheville, N.C.) chipped in nine points, nine rebounds and four blocks.
As a team, the Wasps shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) from the field to go along with their sharp shooting from three-point range. E&H hit 18-of-24 (75%) of its free throws and led 16-13 on points off turnovers. Emory & Henry converted a 41-35 rebounding advantage to a 14-12 lead on second-chance points.
Bridgewater had a pair of 21-point scorers in Jesse Case and Efe Balfour. Case went 11-for-11 from the charity stripe and added three rebounds and three assists while Balfour pulled down a game-high 13 rebounds for the double-double. Cameron Thurston also reached double figures in scoring with 11 points. The Eagles shot just 19-for-56 (33.9%) from the floor and hit only 17.4 percent (4-of-23) of their free throws. BC kept things close with a 28-for-33 (84.8%) outing at the free throw line, and managed a 26-24 lead on points in the paint.
Emory & Henry will return home on Wednesday when it hosts ODAC rival Guilford College at Bob Johnson Court. Tipoff between the Wasps and Quakers is set for 7:00 p.m.
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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15