HARRISONBURG, Va. - With the pressure of finals behind them and the holidays in front of them, the Royals had one final task on their mind before heading to break: pick up a W. 

Check. 

Jazen Walker scored a career-high 16 points and the Royals picked up 17 points off of 16 Mary Baldwin turnovers as they downed the Fighting Squirrels 73-70. 

Records: EMU 3-8, 0-4 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 3-6, 0-0 USA South

Highlights

First Half
The Royals and Squirrels traded points to start the game, with a three from Kai Johnson giving EMU a 14-11 lead at the 12:25 mark of the first half. After MBU pulled within one, Walker's layup pushed the lead back three. He hit a pair of free throws later on but Mary Baldwin had an answer each time EMU tried to pull away. A three from MBU with 8:06 left in the half, gave them a one-point lead and a minute later, after a few back-and-forth baskets, the Fighting Squirrels were able to extend their lead to four. But at the end of the half, with MBU leading 32-31, a dunk from Jalen Jones and an Isaiah Carr layup sandwiched a Mary Baldwin basket and gave EMU a 35-34 lead at the break. 

Second Half
To start the second half, Mary Baldwin was able to pull ahead by three before Julien Hagerman nailed a three to tie things at 45 and Walker tied things once again, this time at 47. This time, anytime Mary Baldwin tried to get some separation, it was EMU who had an answer, as a three from Jameel Davis and a jumper from Mahlong tied things at 52 at the 11:38 mark. After four lead changes and two ties, EMU took the lead for good with a Nick Ondrus three followed by a free throw from Mahlong. MBU was able to pull within one at 62-61, but buckets from Walker and Hagerman, along with a pair of Aaron Brooks free throws, put the game out of reach. Mahlong hit a pair from the charity stripes, along with one from Ty Peterson, to ice the game. 

Statistical Leaders
Points: Walker (16), Mahlong (14), Ondrus (12)
Rebounds: Mahlong and Ondrus (5)
Assists: Mahlong (3)

What's Next
EMU will now be off for the holiday break before returning to the court on Saturday, Dec. 30 as they head to PA to take on Wilson College. Tipoff against the Phoenix is set for 2 pm. 

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