VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - There wasn't much scouting that needed to be done as EMU traveled down to the beach to take on Virginia Wesleyan on Wednesday. The two teams just met Monday in Harrisonburg. 

But despite three Royals scoring in double figures, the outcomes was unfortunately the same as VWU beat the Royals, 80-67. EMU now sits at 8-12, 6-7 ODAC. 

Highlights

• Things didn't start out the best for EMU as Virginia Wesleyan kicked off the game on a 16-3 run. But it was only a matter of time before the Royals offense kicked it into gear. Trailing 18-4, EMU used baskets from Mark Burkholder, Landon Swingler, Kobi Alexander and Tim Jones to go on their own 21-9 run over the next six minutes to pull within one, 25-24. After a Marlin layup, Mizz Nyagwegwe drilled a three to tie things at 27. The two teams traded points before another Nyagwegwe three gave EMU a lead 32-29 lead late in the half. 
• Virginia Wesleyan would go on a 10-2 run, pulling ahead 39-34 but Alexander and Jones would answer, cutting the lead to one. Virginia Wesleyan thought they would go into halftime with a four-point lead after a made three but Jones hit a driving layup at the buzzer to send the teams to the locker room with EMU trailing 42-40. 
• The offenses were quick to start the second half with both teams getting on the board and VWU pulling ahead 50-44. A 7-0 run pushed the lead to 13 before a Burkholder three ended the Royals drought and brought the lead back to 10. 
• The Royals offense went cold over the next six minutes scoring just four points. In that span, Virginia Wesleyan pushed their lead to 13 but a Jones jumper cut things to 11. VWU answered with a 6-0 run, extending their advantage to 17 before Swingler hit a three stopping the tilt. But it seemed like everytime EMU hit a basket, the Marlins answered with points of their own. Seven straight from EMU cut the lead to single digits, 72-63, until Virginia Wesleyan added four straight of their own, putting a stop to the Royals comeback. 
• Jones paced the Royals offensively dropping 18 to go with four assists. Burkholder continued his hot hand, adding 17 and nine rebounds. Swingler chipped in 10, which gives him double-digit points in three of his last four. Alexander had his best game of the season, picking up eight points on 57% shooting to go with a career-high 10 rebounds. 

What's Next

The Royals will be back at home on Saturday when they look for the season sweep of Randolph. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 pm. 

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