EMORY, Va. – The Mars Hill Men's Basketball Team (3-21, 2-15 SAC) overcame a 17-point first half deficit to defeat Emory & Henry College (5-20, 2-15 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday evening. The Lions avenged an early-season loss to take the win by a 82-79 margin.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Mars Hill 82, Emory & Henry 79
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Bob Johnson Court at the John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-20, 2-15 SAC); Mars Hill (3-21, 2-15 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Wasps were hot to start the game as they ran out to a 23-6 lead with just over 12 minutes remaining in the opening half. The visiting Lions managed to close within ten at 28-18 over the following six minutes of gameplay. The two squads traded buckets down the stretch of the opening stanza and the Wasps took a 39-30 advantage into the halftime break.
- Mars Hill flipped the script to begin the second half as the Lions went on a 16-4 run over the opening five minutes to take a 46-43 lead. The teams continued to trade blows through the middle stages of the half and E&H clung to a narrow 52-51 advantage with 11:25 to play. The Lions jumped back in the lead with the next basket and pushed their margin out to as many as ten at 73-63 at the 3:03 mark. The Wasps would not go quietly as they rallied and managed to close to within just a point with seven seconds remaining. Mars Hill knocked down a pair of free throws and a desperation three at the buzzer came up short as the Lions escaped Emory with their second SAC win of the year.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Sophomore forward Jacob Dar (Omaha, Neb.) led the Wasps once again with 22 points, six rebounds, two assists, a pair of steals and a blocked shot. Sophomore forward Marshall Klug (Greensboro, N.C.) posted his first career double-double with 14 points, a career-high ten rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots and a steal.
- Junior guard Gabe Brown (Clintwood, Va.) had 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals while junior guard Jalen Leftwich (Lynchburg, Va.) added 15 points, four assists and a pair of rebounds.
Mars Hill Individual Leaders
- Kadyn Dawkins was sensational for the Lions as he recorded a game-high 34 points, four steals, three assists and three rebounds. Dawkins was a staggering 8-for-13 from behind the three-point stripe. Kory Davis added 18 points, five assists, four rebounds and three steals.
- Caleb Mauldin was the other Lion in double figures as he contributed 14 points, eight rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 47.6 percent (30-for-63) for the game with just six made three-pointers (23.1%). The Wasps went 13-for-14 (92.9%) at the free throw line.
- Mars Hill converted 26-of-64 (40.6%) of its field goal attempts, connecting on 12 triples for 40.0% from behind the three-point stripe. The Lions knocked down 73.7 percent (18-of-23) of their free throws.
- The Wasps held a narrow 38-35 advantage on the glass, but the Lions held the 19-15 margin on second-chance points.
- E&H made a concerted effort to get the ball inside, outscoring MHU by a 46-28 margin in the paint.
- Mars Hill committed just 11 turnovers, compared to 17 for Emory & Henry.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry continues its three-game homestand on Saturday, February 24 when they host Lenoir-Rhyne University for Senior Day. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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