BRIDGEWATER, Va. – EMU men's basketball made the short trip to Bridgewater Friday night, opening the season at the Carlyle Whitelow Invitational against Lancaster Bible.

The Royals held a slim one-point lead late but 6-3 run in the final minute propelled the Chargers to a 68-66 win over EMU.

Records: EMU 0-1, 0-0 ODAC | Lancaster Bible 1-0, 0-0 United East

Highlights

First Half

The Royals got on the board first after Aviwe Mahlong's layup gave EMU a 2-0 lead less than a minute into the game. After a three and-one from Julien Hagerman gave the Royals a four-point lead, the Chargers went on a run and pulled ahead by one. Later in the half, DaiJordan Brown tied things at 13 before LBC went on a 6-0 run, which was stopped on a jumper by CJ McCord. After Lancaster Bible hit a three to take a six-point lead, Brown answered with a trey of his own to cut the Royals deficit back to three, at 22-19. The Chargers pulled ahead by four before a Michael Watlington layup sent the teams to the locker room at the half with EMU down 26-24.

Second Half

Out of the break, a Mark Burkholder bucket and a Brown three put the Royals on top 29-26. The Chargers responded with an 8-0 run before Burkholder hit a jump shot to stop the run. A Mahlong jumper and another Brown three tied things at 36 and the two teams continued to trade blows, with neither able to pull ahead by much. With just under four minutes to play, a Watlington dunk was followed by a Landon Swingler three to give the Royals a two-point advantage. Once again, the teams traded baskets until McCord's freethrows put EMU ahead by one, 63-62, with 47 seconds left. But the Chargers were able to pick up the two-point victory after holding EMU to just three points in the final stretch.

Statistical Leaders

Mahlong – 15 points, 9 rebounds, 5 assists

Brown – 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists

Watlington – 10 points, 7 rebounds

What's Next

EMU will wrap up the Carlyle Whitelow Invitational on Saturday when they face off with Albright University. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 pm.  

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