LYNCHBURG, Va. – The Thanksgiving break for EMU men's basketball was a short one as they were back at it on Saturday, opening up ODAC play against Lynchburg.

The Hornets used runs toward the end of the first half, and the beginning of the second half, to take leads and hold on for an 80-68 win.

Records: EMU 2-3, 0-1 ODAC | Lynchburg 2-3, 1-0 ODAC

Highlights

First Half

The Royals used two Mark Burkholder jumpers and a Julien Hagerman three to take an early 7-0 lead before Lynchburg was able to get on the board. Aviwe Mahlong pushed the lead back to seven and EMU was able to maintain a slight lead more than midway through the half. After a Michael Watlington bucket, the Hornets went on a 10-0 run to take a 27-20 lead before Myles McIntyre put a stop to the run with a three. Lynchburg kept an advantage but EMU was able to cut it one with a Mahlong jumper and a DaiJordan Brown layup. The Hornets, however, ended the half with an 8-4 tilt and took a 37-32 lead into the locker room.

Second Half

EMU stormed back to start the second half, using eight points from Mahlong to go on an 11-0 run in the first 1:43 to take a 43-37 lead. Lynchburg responded with a 13-0 run of their own to retake the lead, 50-43, before a Burkholder dunk ended the Hornets scoring run. Lynchburg pushed the lead to double digits and continued to keep the momentum until back-to-back threes from Mahlong and Brown cut the deficit to seven. Lynchburg used another big run, this time 10-2, to extend the lead to 15. The closest the Royals would get in the game's final minutes was 10 as Lynchburg picked up the win.

Statistical Leaders

Mahlong – 27 points (career-high), 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Burkholder – 14 points, 4 rebounds

What's Next

EMU will have to rebound (pun intended) quickly as they'll be back on the court on Sunday. They'll welcome the Saints of Marymount University to Yoder Arena for a 2 pm tipoff.

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