STAUNTON, Va. - After a thrilling OT win over Messiah on Wednesday, EMU hit the road, making the short trip to Staunton to battle with Mary Baldwin. 

Aaron Brooks dropped a career-high 25 points, but it wasn't enough as the Fighting Squirrels picked up an 88-75 win. 

Records: EMU 3-3, 0-0 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 4-2, 0-0 USA South

Highlights

First Half
Payton Lewis hit a three for EMU's first points of the game but that was sandwiched by a pair of MBU threes. Mary Baldwin was able to take a six point lead, but EMU tied things at 13 with back-to-back threes from Lewis and Brooks. A three from Jameel Davis put EMU ahead by three, but they would only hold the lead for about two minutes, as MBU, trailing 19-18, went on a 6-0 run to lead 24-19. After trading points, a jumper from Isaiah Carr pulled the Royals within two, but Mary Baldwin was able to extend their lead to 12 late in the half. EMU finished the half on a 5-0 run, using a jumper from Jalen Jones and a layup and-one from Aviwe Mahlong, to trail 44-37 at the break. 

Second Half
Points from Gabriel Campbell, Brooks and Lewis started the half for EMU, pulling them within two. The Fighting Squirrels responded by scoring five straight to push their lead back to seven. Midway through the half, they would get their lead to as many as 12, but EMU kept fighting, going on a 7-0 run, using five straight points from Carr and a layup from Brooks, to cut Mary Baldwin's lead back down to five, 68-63. But a three, a steal and a jumper pushed MBU's advantage back up to 10. The Royals would only get their deficit under double digits once more, after a layup from Brooks at the 4:12 mark, as Mary Baldwin was able to finish out the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Brooks: 25 points, 3 assists, 1 steal
Mahlong: 11 points, 9 rebounds

What's Next
EMU will be off until after Thanksgiving. They'll be back on the court on Dec. 4 when they head down to Virginia Beach to open ODAC play against Virginia Wesleyan. Tipoff against the Marlins is set for 7 pm. 

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