HICKORY, N.C. – The Emory & Henry University Men's Basketball Team (4-3, 0-2 SAC) fell on the road in South Atlantic Conference action to preseason favorite Lenoir-Rhyne University (8-2, 3-0 SAC) Saturday evening. The Bears held off a late Wasp rally to earn the win by a 95-87 final score.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Lenoir-Rhyne 95, Emory & Henry 87
LOCATION – Hickory, North Carolina
VENUE – Shuford Arena
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-3, 0-2 SAC); Lenoir-Rhyne (8-2, 3-0 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Wasps were hot to begin the contest as sophomore guard Korbin Dixon (Milton, Ontario, CANADA) and junior guard Jackson Crawford (Daleville, Va.) combined for the first 16 E&H points, giving the visitors a 16-8 lead at the first media timeout. E&H held the Bears at arm's length over the following five minutes and maintained a 23-14 margin with just over 11 minutes remaining in the opening half. Another three from Crawford made it 31-23 at the 8:20 mark, but the Bears kicked into gear as they went on a 9-0 run over the following two minutes to take their first lead of the contest at 32-31. The two teams traded blows down the stretch of the first half and LR finished the period with the final five points to take a 46-41 lead into the locker room.
- The Bears opened the second half with five straight points to balloon their lead out to double digits at 51-41. Lenoir-Rhyne continued to push the tempo and saw their advantage reach 14 points at 59-45 with 14:14 left on the clock. The Bears' margin reached as many as 15 with 7:05 remaining, but E&H would not go quietly. The Wasps slowly chipped away at the deficit and yet another three from Crawford made it just a five-point game at 88-83. E&H managed to close within four at 90-86, but the Bears converted their opportunities from the charity stripe down the stretch as the home team managed to hold on for the 95-87 victory.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Crawford led the Wasps' offense with 29 points as he went 6-for-10 from long range, while adding two assists and a steal. Dixon finished with 26 points, four rebounds, two assists and a steal.
- Sophomore forward Isaac Hymes (Phoenix, Ariz.) recorded 16 points, three rebounds and a blocked shot off of the bench while freshman guard Melchior Hughes (Geneva, SWITZERLAND) chipped in with six points, seven rebounds, one assist and a steal.
Lenoir-Rhyne Individual Leaders
- Conrad Luczynski went for a double-double with 18 points, 13 rebounds, five blocked shots, two steals and an assist. Blessin Kimble collected 15 points, seven boards, one assist and a steal off of the bench.
- Tyler Burraston had 13 points and three rebounds while Akili Evans registered 12 points, three assists and a pair of boards.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 39.0 percent (23-for-59) from the field, hitting a season-high 13 three-pointers (43.3%). The Wasps went 28-for-41 (68.3%) at the free throw line.
- Lenoir-Rhyne made 28-of-56 (29.7%) of their shots and was 5-for-12 (41.7%) from deep. The Bears converted 73.9 percent (34-of-46) of their free throws.
- LR outrebounded the Wasps 48-29, and held a big 29-9 advantage on second chance points.
- Lenoir-Rhyne won the turnover battle, forcing 17 compared to committing 12, but the Wasps took advantage of every Bear mistake as they tallied 18 points off turnovers to just 11 for LR.
- Lenoir-Rhyne forced the ball inside as they recorded 42 points in the painted area while the Wasps tallied 20.
- The contest saw 14 ties and 14 lead changes.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry is back in action on Wednesday, December 10 when the Wasps make the short trip to take on Southwest Virginia rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. as the nightcap of a doubleheader with the women's team.
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