EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Men's Basketball Team (5-14, 3-12 SAC) ran out to a 17-point halftime lead on its way to a 78-67 South Atlantic Conference win over Newberry College (8-10, 5-9 SAC) Saturday afternoon. Sophomore guard Jackson Crawford (Daleville, Va.) poured in a career-high 27 points to help Head Coach Jimmy Allen earn his 200th career win in the process.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 78, Newberry 67
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Bob Johnson Court at the John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-14, 3-12 SAC); Newberry (8-10, 5-9 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Wasps locked down the Wolves on defense to begin the game as E&H established an early 15-5 advantage through the opening five minutes of play. The teams traded blows throughout the middle stages of the half and the score stood at 24-17 in favor of the home team with 5:50 remaining on the clock. A quick seven-point run over the next minute saw the Wasps push their lead out to a comfortable 31-17. E&H closed the opening frame with a flurry as Crawford drained a three with 25 seconds left, then junior guard Omari Curley (Prince George, Va.) stole the ball from a Newberry player and fed Crawford who knocked down another shot from distance to balloon the Wasps' lead out to 43-26 at the halftime break.
- Newberry came out of the half shooting lights out as the Wolves knocked down their first seven shots from the field over the opening seven and a half minutes to close the gap to just four points at 51-47. Another quick 8-3 spurt in the following three minutes of gameplay gave the Wasps some breathing room at 59-50. E&H continued to push the pace and a three from freshman guard Korbin Dixon (Milton, Ontario, CANADA) increased the margin out to 67-53. Newberry would not go down quietly as the Wolves responded with a 10-2 run to pull themselves back within six at 69-63. Newberry tried to extend the game as they committed fouls to send the Wasps to the line, but Crawford was clutch as he went 6-for-6 down the stretch to help clinch the 78-67 victory.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Crawford led the way offensively with his career-high 27 points, five rebounds, three assists and a steal. Dixon added 15 points and one rebound off of the bench while freshman forward Draven Pilson (Winston-Salem, N.C.) went for 14 points, six rebounds, two assists and a blocked shot.
- Senior guard/forward Gabe Brown (Clintwood, Va.) finished with 14 points, six rebounds, one assist and a steal.
Newberry Individual Leaders
- James Lovorn paced the Wolves with a team-high 20 points, five assists, one rebound and a steal. Malakhi Stremlow posted a double-double with 13 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and a steal.
- Booker Cusaac recorded 12 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists.
A Deeper Look
- The Wasps finished shooting 50.0% (27-for-54) from the field and 13-for-33 (39.4%) from beyond the three-point arc. Newberry was 18-for-54 (33.3%) overall and 39.3% (11-for-28) from deep.
- Newberry was 20-for-27 (74.1%) from the free throw line while Emory & Henry shot (61.1%) 11-for-18 at the charity stripe.
- E&H outrebounded the Wolves by a slim 37-34 margin.
- The Wasps forced the ball inside, outscoring Newberry 28-14 in the painted area.
- Emory & Henry took advantage of chances in transition as they scored 14 points on the fastbreak compared to just 4 for the Wolves.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry is back on the road this Wednesday, January 29 when they make the short trip to take on rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of a doubleheader with the women's team.
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