HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Royals had a big home crowd on Wednesday, as the Rowdy Royal fans saw EMU take on the Maroons of Roanoke College.

After a strong first half, EMU trailed at the break by just one. But the Maroons, who are receiving votes in the latest D3Hoops.com national poll, pulled away in the second half, outscoring the Royals 43-30 en route to a 76-62 win.

Records: EMU 4-14, 1-9 ODAC | RV Roanoke 15-4, 9-2 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
After a Maroons free throw gave them an early lead, Zach Bailey hit a jumper for the Royals to give them a 2-1 lead. Roanoke then went on a 6-0 run before a three from Isaiah Carr pulled EMU within two. Roanoke would continue to lead, but EMU kept them close, hitting clutch shots anytime RC seemed to grab the momentum. With just under six minutes left in the half, the Maroons looked to start pulling away, extending their lead to 11, 27-16, after a fastbreak three. A 6-0 EMU run pulled them within five after a pair of free throws from Kaleb Torrence. After a late Maroons basket pushed their lead to four, Aaron Brooks brought the crowd to their feet, drilling a three from just beyond half court at the buzzer, to send EMU to the locker room trailing by one. 

Second Half
Roanoke started the second half on a 6-0 tilt before a three from Torrence stopped the run and brought EMU back within four. Roanoke answered right back, about five minutes into the frame, after Roanoke had built their lead to 10, Aviwe Mahlong hit a three, pulling the Royals back to within single digits. EMU would only be able to keep the Roanoke lead to single digits for about two minutes, however, as RC went on a 10-4 run over the next four minutes, pushing their lead to 13. EMU would keep fighting, scoring nine of the next 11 points, with Torrence picking up five, to cut Roanoke's lead to six with 6:39 to play. A Mahlong layup two minutes later, would pull EMU within five, 64-59, but EMU would only be able to score three more points over the final four minutes, to wrap up the game. 

Statistical Leaders
Mahlong: 15 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 1 block
Torrence: 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
Carr, Brooks: 12 and 10 points

What's Next
The road gets no easier for the Royals, as they welcome in #8 Hampden-Sydney to Yoder Arena on Saturday. Tipoff against the Tigers is set for 2 pm. 

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