EMORY, Va. – The University of Virginia's College at Wise Men's Basketball Team (15-10, 8-8 SAC) defeated Emory & Henry College (14-10, 6-9 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference rivalry action on Wednesday evening. The Cavaliers won the back-and-forth contest, which included nine ties and 17 lead changes, by a 79-76 scoreline.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – UVA Wise 79, Emory & Henry 76
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Bob Johnson Court at the John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (14-10, 6-9 SAC); UVA Wise (15-10, 8-8 SAC)
How It Happened
- The game started as a hotly-contested affair with both teams bringing physical and intense play. A made three-point jump shot from senior guard Malcolm Morgan (Concord, N.C.) gave the Wasps the early 10-7 advantage with 16:33 on the clock. E&H would push the lead out to as many as six in the early stages, but the Cavaliers responded with back-to-back threes from Bradley Dean and Luke Lawson to take their first lead of the game 18-16 at the 12:02 mark. The home team battled back and was able to jump back in front on another made shot from deep, this time coming from freshman forward Marshall Klug (Greensboro, N.C.) to make it 23-22 with 8:28 to play. In all, the Wasps knocked down six shots from three-point range in the opening stanza and took a 43-37 lead into the break.
- The Cavaliers came out of the halftime break on fire and quickly erased the deficit to tie the game at 50-50 with over 16 minutes left. The entire second stanza was played within a six-point margin, and the two teams continually traded baskets resulting in a game tied at 65-65 with seven minutes to play. An old-fashioned three-point play from sophomore forward Jake Moynihan (Muncie, Ind.) pushed the Wasps to a 76-72 lead at the 2:47 mark but UVA Wise answered right back with a three from Calen Lightford and a bucket from Bradley Dean to retake the lead 77-76 with 1:43 remaining. E&H had several chances to take the lead from point-blank distance, but could not convert. The Cavaliers made a pair of free throws down the stretch and were able to escape Emory with the narrow 79-76 win.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Sophomore forward Gabe Brown (Clintwood, Va.) led the Wasps as he posted a double-double with 15 points, a career-high 14 rebounds, two steals and three blocks. Moynihan had 17 points, nine rebounds, two assists and three blocks.
- Senior guard Kevin Grau Rodriguez (Tampa, Fla.) posted ten points, two rebounds, three assists and a steal in the losing effort.
UVA Wise Individual Leaders
- Bradley Dean had a game-high 24 points, eight rebounds, three assists and a block while Patrick Shelley contributed 15 points, eight rebounds, two assists and five steals.
- Luke Lawson posted 13 points, eight rebounds, one assist and three steals in the win.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 41.1 percent (30-for-73) from the field while UVA Wise made 32-of-70 (45.7%) of their shots. The Wasps knocked down just seven shots (30.4%) from the three-point arc, compared to nine (34.6%) for the Cavaliers.
- E&H outrebounded the visitors by a 45-40 margin and held the 14-6 edge in assists.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry will honor its seniors on Saturday before its game against Catawba College. Tip-off is scheduled for 4:00 p.m., as the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team.
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