HARRISONBURG, Va.- For the first time in 17 days, the EMU Men's Basketball team played in front of friendly fans in Yoder Arena, hosting Southern Virginia in a Saturday afternoon showdown. The Royals hoped to avenge an earlier loss to the Knights, but it was not to be as the visitors hands EMU a 76-66 loss.
Aaron Brooks had a standout game for the Royals, nearly getting a double-double with 19 points and 8 asssists. Aviwe Mahlong also put up double figures with 12 points on 4-of-7 shooting from the field. Southern Virginia had four players in double figures, led by 18 points from Tyler Kartchner.

Records: EMU 3-5 | Southern Virginia 5-2

Highlights
First Half
The two teams went back and forth in the opening moments of the game, with neither side getting a lead bigger than three. The Royals got the first two-possession cushion when Mahlong sank a three-pointer at the 13:31. EMU's lead got as big as nine at 31-22 following a CJ Harrist three-pointer and a Jameel Davis free throw with 6:27 left until halftime. But the Knights battled back with a 9-0 scoring run of 2:28 of game time to even the score at 31 apiece with three minutes left. A Kaleb Torrance three-pointer and a driving layup from Mahlong allowed EMU to head into the locker room with a narrow 36-33 lead.

Second Half
The Knights pounced on EMU in the second half, going on a 15-4 run over the first five-and-a-half minutes, taking a 48-40 lead. The Royals could get no closer than six points the rest of the way, with Aaron Brooks scoring seven of the team's final nine points down the stretch.
 
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Brooks (19)
Rebounds: Brooks, Gabe Campbell, Mahlong (6)
Assists: Brooks (8)
Steals: Brooks, Isaiah Carr (3)
Blocks: Carr (2)

What's Next
EMU Men's Basketball will have almost a week to regroup before another home non-conference game against Lancaster Bible College on Friday, Dec. 13. Tip-off against the Chargers is set for 5 p.m.

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