HARRISONBURG, Va. – Before the Royals could go home for the holidays, they got to play at home one more time in 2024, as they welcomed in Randolph Macon to Yoder Arena.

A strong start to the second half kept EMU in the game, but a late half surge helped Randolph Macon to an 80-60 win. 

Records: EMU 3-7, 0-2 ODAC | Randolph Macon: 4-3, 2-1 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
RMC jumped out to a 6-1 lead to start the game, before a pair of Aaron Brooks threes baskets sandwiched a Macon three, cutting their lead to 9-6. The Yellow Jackets then went on a 10-5 run, taking a 19-11 lead midway through the half. But EMU continued to battle, scoring five straight from a Kaleb Torrence three and a Jalen Jones jumper, to pull within 19-16. Macon was able to pull away with a 7-0 tilt and would extend their lead to as many as 13, 31-18, before EMU ended the half on a 6-2 run, with Brooks and Isaiah Carr scoring all six points to send the teams to the break with RMC leading 33-24.

Second Half
After an RMC alley-oop pushed their lead to 11 at the start of the second half, EMU went on an 8-0 run over the next four minutes, with Mahlong adding four and Zach Bailey chipping in three. With just under 14 minutes to play, Mahlong drove the lane and put up a crazy backwards layup that went in, while picking up the foul. He missed the free throw and RMC responded with a three from the top of the key to push their lead to seven. That would be the dagger in EMU's comeback chances, as RMC was able to string together some baskets, responding whenever EMU gained some momentum, to finish out the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Brooks: 19 points, 4 rebounds
Mahlong: 15 points

What's Next
EMU will be off for the Christmas holiday, and won't return to the court until Saturday, Jan. 4. They'll head to Shenandoah to take on the Hornets in an ODAC showdown. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 pm.

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