HARRISONBURG, Va. – Consider the monkey removed.

Daijordan Brown tied his career-high with 20 points, while Aviwe Mahlong added 19 and Julien Hagerman chipped in 14 as the Royals picked up a big win, 77-70, over Averett.

Records: EMU 5-13, 1-9 ODAC | Averett 4-14, 2-8 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
Averett scored the first four points of the game before a jumper from Isaiah Carr cut into the Cougars lead. Later in the quarter, back-to-back threes from Hagerman sandwiched an Averett three and gave EMU a one-point lead, 12-11. With things tied at 12, EMU went on a 5-0 run, with points from Jalen Jones and Jazen Walker, and the Royals were able to push their lead to 11 with threes from Jameel Davis and Mahlong. AU cut the lead to four with a 7-0 run, but EMU continued to answer, leading by as many as eight once again. A Cougar three with 24 seconds left pulled AU within four, but Brown drilled a three of his own in the final seconds to give the Royals a seven-point lead at the break.

Second Half
A 5-0 run by Averett to start the half pulled them to within a possession, but a three from Brown and a layup from Walker extended EMU's lead back to seven. At the 15:55 mark, AU cut their deficit to three, 52-49, but the Royals answered with an 11-0 run to take a 63-49 lead. The Cougars would continue to battle, however, cutting EMU's lead to as little as four with just over a minute, but a clutch free throw from Carr and two from Hagerman put the game on ice for the Royals win.

Statistical Leaders
Points: Brown (20), Mahlong (19), Hagerman (14)
Rebounds: Mahlong (7), Carr  (5)
Assists: Brown (4)
Steals: Brown (5)

What's Next
EMU will be back in action on Wednesday when they welcome in Shenandoah to Yoder Arena. Tipoff against the Hornets is set for 7 pm.

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