LYNCHBURG, Va. - The Royals can now breathe a sigh of relief. 

After coming close to an ODAC win over the last couple of weeks, EMU was able to get that monkey off its back, using a monster night from Aaron Brooks to down Randolph 79-69 in an ODAC road showdown. 

Records: EMU 4-11, 1-6 ODAC | Randolph 5-10, 1-7 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
Randolph jumped out to a 7-0 lead before a 14-0 Royals run, highlighted by 10 points from Brooks and three points from Torrence, gave EMU a 14-9 lead. The teams traded points, and EMU was able to keep a five to eight points lead, taking a 28-20 lead late in the half after an Aviwe Mahlong three. Randolph answered over the next three minutes, going on a 10-2 run and tying things at 30, with less than a minute left in the half. Brooks was able to get to the line and hit a pair of free throws, to give EMU a 32-30 lead at the break. 

Second Half
The teams traded buckets to start the second half, with things tying at 35, 37 and 41. But EMU grabbed the momentum with an 8-3 run, picking up two points each from Mahlong, Brooks, Jones and Torrence. Randolph cut the EMU lead back to three but five straight points from Brooks extended EMU's lead back to eight, 56-48. Later in the half, after an Isaiah Carr kept EMU on top by 8, Randolph worked on cutting into the lead, going on a 9-3 run to cut EMU's lead to two with just over four minutes to play. EMU responded with layups from Carr and Brooks to push the lead back to six. Once again, Randolph was able to pull within three, 68-65, before a big layup from Jones gave EMU some breathing room. Three would be as close as Randolph would get as EMU converted all nine of its free throws in the games final 1:10, to secure the win. 

Statistical Leaders
Brooks: 27 points (career high), 5 rebounds, 3 steals
Mahlong: 15 points, 6 rebounds
Jones, Torrence: 12 and 11 points

What's Next
EMU will be back in Yoder Arena on Wednesday, as they take on the Generals of Washington and Lee. Tipoff is set for 7 pm. 

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