VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. - After more than 10 days off, the Runnin Royals were back in action on Wednesday, hitting the road for their ODAC opener.
In both halves, EMU kept their deficit to single digits, but it was Virginia Wesleyan picking up the conference win, 63-52.
Records: EMU 3-4, 0-1 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 4-2, 1-0 ODAC
Highlights
First Half
VWU took a 4-0 lead to start the game before a layup from
Isaiah Carr gave the Royals their first points of the game. A three from
Zach Bailey and a bucket from
Kaleb Torrence, who was making his season debut, gave EMU a three point lead. Later in the half, a three from Torrence put the Royals ahead by four, 12-8, but VWU responded with a 7-0 run to pull back out in front. The Marlins would extend their lead to as many as 11 and led by 10 with 1:26 left in the half,
Aaron Brooks came up with a big steal and a layup in the closing seconds, to send the teams to the break with VWU leading 31-23.
Second Half
Layups from Carr and Brooks pulled EMU within four to start the second half. Virginia Wesleyan would extend their lead to eight after a fastbreak layup, but a three from Carr cut the lead back to single digits. After a Marlins dunk put VWU ahead seven, EMU went on a 5-0 run, with a pair of free throws from Brooks and a three from
Aviwe Mahlong, to pull within two. The Marlins hit a three to stop the Royals run and Wesleyan would get back out to a 10 point lead. They would lead by as many as 15 until back-to-back threes from Mahlong and Torrence cut the Marlins lead to nine. VWU hit a pair of free throws down the stretch to finish out the scoring.
Statistical Leaders
Brooks: 14 points, 2 steals
Gabriel Campbell: 10 rebounds
Carr: 11 points
Torrence: 10 points
What's Next
EMU will be back on the hardwood on Saturday when they welcome in Southern Virginia to Yoder Arena. Tipoff against the Knights is set for 1 pm.
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