DANVILLE, Va. – EMU wrapped up the 2025-26 regular season on Saturday, making the trip down to Danville to take on Averett.

AU held just a seven-point lead at the half, but used a 52-point second half to pick up an 83-52 win over EMU. 

Records: EMU 8-17, 5-11 ODAC | Averett 15-10, 8-8 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
A pair of Cougar layups sandwiched an Isaiah Carr bucket, as AU took an early lead to start the game. A few minutes later, Hezekiah Brown's layup pulled the Royals within two, 8-6, before Averett scored five straight to push their lead to seven. It seemed like anytime EMU tried to climb back in, Averett would answer them basket-for-basket, including hitting back-to-back threes with 8:09 left to push their lead to double-digits. The rest of the half was evenly matched, as EMU outscored the Cougars 13-10, highlighted by five points from Zach Perry and three apiece from Carr and Edixon Blanco, as Averett took a 31-24 lead into half time.

Second Half
Averett started the second half on an 11-4 run, pushing their lead back to 14 before an Aaron Brooks layup and-one helped stop the run. Unfortunately for EMU, over the next 7:18 of game time, Averett outscored EMU 20-7, with EMU's points coming from Donovan Arnason, Perry and Blanco, as the Cougars took a 62-38 lead. After an EMU layup from BJ Nkrumah, Averett was able to push their lead into the thirties with a 21-12 lead to wrap up the home win. 

Statistical Leaders
Points: Arnason (12), Brooks (10)
Rebounds: Carr (8)
 Assists: Brooks (6)
 
What's Next
This wraps up EMU's regular season as they look ahead to 2026-27. They'll graduate just two seniors: Arnason and Zach Bailey, and will return the bulk of their lineup for next season. 

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