ASHLAND, Va. - EMU started its final five-game stretch of the season, making the trek down to Richmond to take on #12 Randolph Macon. 

It was a tight game at the half, with the Royals trailing by just seven. But RMC showcased their fire power, outscoring EMU 40-17 in the second half, to pick up a 78-48 win. 

Records: EMU 5-16, 2-11 ODAC | #12 Randolph Macon 19-3, 12-1 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
The Royals got on the board first after a Zach Bailey layup in the opening minute of play. After another Bailey bucket, Randolph Macon would pull ahead by five, before a three from Bailey, his seventh point of the game, would pull EMU within two. Kaleb Torrence would drill a three right after, putting EMU ahead by one. The teams would trade leads, with the Royals leading by as many as three after an Aviwe Mahlong triple. RMC would pull back out in front after a 9-0 run and would lead by as many as seven, at the 4:02 mark, before Mahlong hit another three to pull EMU back within four. Macon would extend their lead to eight, but Mahlong would cut it to seven with a free throw, and the teams would go to the break with RMC leading 38-31. 

Second Half
RMC scored the first four points of the second half, to push their lead to double digits. A pair of free throws from Torrence would cut the Royals deficit back to nine, but that was followed by a Yellow Jacket layup and jumper, and EMU wouldn't get within single digits again. At the 15:20 mark, RMC would push their lead to 16, but a 5-0 run from EMU, with Payton Lewis adding three and Isaiah Carr scoring two, pulled EMU within 11. Later in the half, after a Jalen Jones jumper brought the Royals back to trailing by 11, Macon opened things up with a 12-0 tilt, that lasted over five minutes, until a layup from Aaron Brooks stopped the run. By then, EMU was trailing by 21. That would be the Royals final points of the night, as RMC finished on a 9-0 run for the final score. 

Statistical Leaders
Mahlong: 13 points, 4 rebounds
Jones: 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

What's Next
EMU will be back inside Yoder Arena on Wednesday, as they wrap up their 2024-25 non-conference schedule, with a showdown against Mary Washington. Tipoff against the Eagles is set for 7 pm. 

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