HARRISONBURG, Va. - EMU returned home on Wednesday, as the Panthers of Ferrum College came to Yoder Arena. 

The Royals shot almost 50% from the floor for the night, including 58% in the second half, but the Panthers were hotter, knocking down 60% of their shots in the first half and 53% for the game, en route to an 81-71 win. 

Records: EMU 3-11, 0-6 ODAC | Ferrum College 12-3, 4-2 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
Ferrum jumped out to a 7-0 run before EMU answered with a 6-0 run, with four points coming from Aviwe Mahlong and a pair from Gabriel Campbell. FC extended their lead to six, leading 12-6, but EMU answered yet again, this time going on an 8-0 tilt, highlighted by back-to-back threes from Kaleb Torrence and Aaron Brooks. The teams continued to swap the lead, and EMU was able to pull ahead by as many as five twice in the frame. Toward the end of the half, with EMU leading 33-30 after a Mahlong layup, Ferrum ended the half on a 9-0 run to take a 39-33 lead into the break. 

Second Half
The Panthers scored the first four points of the half to push their lead to 10. They would continue to hold a double-digit lead, getting to as many as 18 with 5:24 left in the game. EMU would continue to fight, going on a 17-7 tilt over the next five minutes, picking up seven points each from Torrence and Brooks, along with three from Campbell, to cut Ferrum's lead to eight. But it was a little too late for the Royals, as the Panthers hit their free throws at the end to finish out the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Brooks: 19 points, 8 assists, 4 steals
Mahlong: 10 points, 5 rebounds
Torrence, Lewis: 15 and 11 points, respectively

What's Next
EMU will be back on the floor on Saturday when they head to Lynchburg to take on Randolph College. Tipoff against the WildCats is set for 2 pm.

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