GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Tusculum University Men's Basketball Team (5-17, 5-13 SAC) put up 50 first-half points as it downed Emory & Henry University (5-17, 3-15 SAC) in South Atlantic Conference play Wednesday night. The Pioneers held off a late Emory & Henry rally to take the win by a 92-82 final score.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Tusculum 92, Emory & Henry 82
LOCATION – Greeneville, Tennessee
VENUE – Pioneer Arena
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-17, 3-15 SAC); Tusculum (5-17, 5-13 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Pioneers began the game with hot shooting from the field as they knocked down 60% of their shots on their way to a 23-9 advantage through the opening nine minutes of play. The two squads traded baskets through the middle stages of the frame and Tusculum held a 36-20 lead with 6:31 on the clock. The Wasps slowly worked their way back into the game and managed to trim the deficit to 41-31 at the final media timeout of the half. The home team continued to score the basketball and a buzzer-beating three-point bucket gave them the 50-39 advantage heading into the half.
- The scoring pace slowed to start the second half and the Pioneers maintained their lead at 66-56 with 10 minutes to play. The teams held serve over the following four minutes and Tusculum held a 75-63 margin with just over six minutes left. TU pushed its lead out to 79-63, but the Wasps responded with a quick 10-1 run to draw within just seven and force a Tusculum timeout at the 2:09 mark. E&H managed to pull within four at 82-78 with a minute left, but the Pioneers converted important free throws down the stretch to help clinch the 92-82 victory.
Emory & Henry Individual Leaders
- Freshman guard Korbin Dixon (Milton, Ontario, CANADA) had a team-high 16 points, four rebounds, one assist and a steal off of the bench. Senior guard/forward Gabe Brown (Clintwood, Va.) just missed out on a double-double as he posted 14 points, nine rebounds and a pair of blocked shots.
- Junior forward Assad Madassalia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) recorded 12 points, five rebounds, four assists and also had two blocked shots to bring his SAC-leading season total to 63. Freshman forward Draven Pilson (Winston-Salem, N.C.) added 11 points, four rebounds and a steal.
Tusculum Individual Leaders
- Malachi Hale led the Pioneers with a game-high 21 points, six rebounds and two assists in just 22 minutes on the floor while TJ Printup contributed 18 points, five boards, two assists, one block and a steal.
- Taj Kimber registered 15 points, five rebounds and three assists. Bryce Jackson finished with 15 points, three blocks, three steals and a pair of assists.
A Deeper Look
- TU shot 48.3% (28-for-58) overall and 13-for-29 (44.8%) from beyond the three-point arc. The Wasps were 28-for-66 (42.4%) from the floor and shot just 27.6% (8-for-29) from three.
- The Wasps outrebounded the Pioneers by a 41-34 margin, including 13-7 on the offensive glass.
- E&H was more effective at the charity stripe despite having far fewer opportunities. The Wasps were 18-for-21 (86%) compared to 23-for-33 (70%) for the Pioneers.
- Emory & Henry forced the ball inside as they held a 40-26 advantage on points scored in the paint.
Up Next
- The Wasps hit the road again on Saturday, February 8 when they visit the Cobras of Coker University. Tip is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. as the nightcap of a doubleheader with the women's team.
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