HARRISONBURG, Va. – On Saturday, EMU welcomed in Averett, taking on the Cougars for the first time as ODAC foes.

The Royals shot a stellar 55% from the floor led at halftime but Averett outscored EMU 28-23 in the second half to pick up a 63-59 win.

Records: EMU 5-13, 1-8 ODAC | Averett 8-11, 4-6 ODAC

Highlights

First Half

Mark Burkholder put the Royals up with a jumper just 28 seconds into the game. The teams traded buckets to eight-all before the Cougars went on an 8-2 run, taking an 18-10 lead, forcing an EMU timeout. Out of the break, the Royals offense found their stride, scoring 15 straight, with points from Michael Watlington, Julien Hagerman, Aviwe Mahlong and Andre Pacheco, to pull ahead 25-18. The Royals maintained a slight lead until an AU three put them ahead 33-32. Daijordan Brown's layup pushed EMU ahead but the Cougars responded with a basket of their own. A Mahlong layup in the final seconds gave the Royals a 36-35 lead at the half.

Second Half

Averett re-took the lead with a 4-0 run to start the half but three EMU free throws tied things at 39. AU then went on a 13-4 tilt to take their largest lead of the game, 54-43. EMU would cut the lead to nine with just over five minutes left and followed that up with back-to-back threes from Mahlong and Burkholder, along with a Brown bucket, to pull within one. That would be as close as EMU would get, with Averett pushing their lead to seven before a three from Mahlong gave us the final score.

Statistical Leaders

Mahlong – 15 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists

Brown – 10 points, 3 rebounds, 8 assists

Watlington – 10 points

What's Next

The Royals will head to Winchester on Wednesday for a date at Shenandoah. Tipoff against the Hornets is scheduled for 7 pm.

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