WISE, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Men's Basketball Team (5-3, 1-2 SAC) earned its first South Atlantic Conference win of the season Wednesday as the Wasps overcame an eight-point halftime deficit to hand Southwest Virginia rival the University of Virginia's College at Wise (8-2, 2-1 SAC) its first SAC loss of the year on the Cavaliers' home court. In the process, Emory & Henry put an end to UVA Wise's program record eight-game winning streak.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 83, UVA Wise 76
LOCATION – Wise, Virginia
VENUE – Prior Convocation Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-3, 1-2 SAC); UVA Wise (8-2, 2-1 SAC)
How It Happened
- Both teams traded buckets to begin the contest and a three-point jumper from sophomore forward Isaac Hymes (Phoenix, Ariz.) gave the visiting Wasps an early 11-6 lead. Another three from sophomore guard Korbin Dixon (Milton, Ontario, CANADA) pushed the Wasps' advantage out to 20-12, but the Cavaliers would respond with 12 of the next 15 points to nudge ahead 24-23. A three from deep and a pair of free throws from freshman guard Melchior Hughes (Geneva, SWITZERLAND) saw the E&H advantage grow to 30-24. Wise finished the first half with a flourish as the Cavaliers ended the frame with a 14-0 run to take the eight-point margin into the half.
- Emory & Henry managed to cut the deficit to three early on in the second half thanks to another three and a layup from junior guard Jaden Andrew (St. Johns, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA), but the Cavaliers quickly fought back to increase their margin out to 47-39 at the 15:52 mark. Wise's lead reached as many as 11 at 55-44, but the Wasps showed their resilience as the visitors from Emory rattled off a 16-1 run over the following three and a half minutes, capped off by yet another three ball from Hughes to retake the lead at 60-56 with 10:41 to play. The squads went back-and-forth down the stretch with the Wasps answering every attempted run by the Cavaliers. Wise brought themselves back within four points with 99 seconds remaining, but the Wasps were having none of it as they managed to keep the Cavaliers at arm's length. E&H was clutch from the charity stripe as Hughes and junior guard Jackson Crawford (Daleville, Va.) went a perfect 6-for-6 in the final moments to clinch the 83-76 road win over the rival Cavaliers.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Hughes had his best game in a Wasp uniform as he went for a career-high 27 points and five rebounds. His seven made three pointers are tied for the most for an E&H player in a game since joining the Division II ranks. Senior forward Assad Madassalia (Bronx, N.Y.) added a season-high 11 points, seven rebounds, three blocks and a steal while Dixon recorded 10 points, four assists, three boards, one steal and a block.
- Crawford finished with nine points, five rebounds, four assists and a steal. Andrew had eight points, seven boards, four helpers, two steals and a block while Hymes chipped in with eight points, three rebounds, a pair of assists and a steal.
UVA Wise Individual Leaders
- Evan Ramsey led the Cavaliers with a double-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds and a pair of blocks. Yoro Diallo registered 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists, four steals and a blocked shot.
- Patrick Shelley went for 12 points, three steals, two blocks and a pair of rebounds. Kam Roberts collected 12 points, five helpers, four rebounds and a steal in the loss.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 41.7 percent (25-for-60) from the field, hitting a season-high 14 three-pointers (41.2%). The Wasps went 19-for-24 (79.2%) at the free throw line.
- UVA Wise made 27-of-72 (37.5%) of their shots and was just 3-for-19 (15.8%) from deep. The Cavaliers converted 76.0 percent (19-of-25) of their free throws.
- The game was won and lost from long range as the Wasps finished with 42 of their points from three-point range while the Cavaliers could only muster nine.
- The Wasps' 53 second-half points are the most scored by the program in one half since putting up 69 in the first half against No. 24 Coker last season (Dec. 4).
- Wise outrebounded the Wasps 45-41, and held a 16-5 advantage on second chance points.
- UVA Wise won the turnover battle, forcing 18 compared to committing 13. The Cavaliers capitalized on the miscues to the tune of 20 points off turnovers, while the Wasps could manage only 13.
- The Cavaliers forced the ball inside as they recorded 48 points in the painted area while the Wasps tallied 20.
- The contest saw six ties and eight lead changes.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry returns home on Saturday, December 13 when the Wasps host the Wolves of Newberry College. Tip is scheduled for 4:00 p.m. as the second half of a doubleheader with the women's team.
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