HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Emory & Henry College Men's Basketball Team (5-18, 4-10 ODAC) eclipsed its win total from a year ago as it picked up a 78-81 win over Eastern Mennonite University (15-8, 8-6 ODAC) Saturday evening at Yoder Arena. The Wasps battled through 12 ties and eight lead changes in the contest to come away with the win.
E&H got out to a 10-4 lead at the 16:47 mark of the first half thanks in part to back-to-back three-pointers by freshman guard John Shelor (Giles, Va.) and freshman forward Chase Branscomb (Bristol,Tenn.). After the Royals responded to gain an 11-10 advantage, the Wasps put together an 11-2 run to go up 21-13 with 10:49 on the clock. Emory & Henry would lead by as much as nine (26-17) in the opening 20 minutes, with a 37-32 score going into the break.
The first five minutes of the second half saw the Wasps go on a 15-2 run, capped off by another Branscomb three for a 52-39 lead. EMU tied things up at 58 points apiece with 10 minutes to go and the margin would never be more than five points the rest of the way. After the Royals fought back to go up 71-69 with five minutes to play, the Wasps bounced back and finished the game on a 12-7 run for the final 78-81 score.
Emory & Henry sophomore guard Myles Turner (Richmond, Va.) dropped a game-high 28 points and added six rebounds, three assists and three steals. Branscomb set a new best for points for the second time this week, going for 17 points, including a trio of three-pointers, and adding five rebounds. Sophomore guard Ryan Gravley (Austinville, Va.) had 12 points in the game as well.
As a team the Wasps shot 44.1 percent (26-for-59) for the game, hitting seven three pointers. E&H went 22-for-29 (75.9%) at the charity stripe as well.
EMU saw six players reach double figures in scoring led by Ryan Yates, who had 13 points and added 10 rebounds to complete the double-double. David Falk had a double-double of his own posting 10 points and 13 boards. Jerome Jones led the Royals' bench scoring with 12 points, hitting four three's. Eastern Mennonite shot just 37.9 percent (22-for-58) for the game but stayed in the contest thanks to a 27-for-35 (77.1%) outing at the free throw line.
Emory & Henry will return home on Wednesday for a 7:00 p.m., contest against Randolph College. The game will be the second of a doubleheader as the Wasp women will take on Guilford at 5:00 p.m.
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