GREENEVILLE, Tenn. – The Emory & Henry University Men's Basketball Team (11-6, 6-5 SAC) got back in the win column Wednesday night, picking up a big South Atlantic Conference victory over Tusculum University (7-10, 3-8 SAC). The Wasps put up 45 second-half points on their way to the 78-71 win.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 78, Tusculum 71
LOCATION – Greeneville, Tennessee
VENUE – Pioneer Arena
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (11-6, 6-5 SAC); Tusculum (7-10, 3-8 SAC)
How It Happened
- The Wasps began the contest on the front foot as they ran out to an early 7-3 advantage, but the Pioneers answered back with a 10-0 run to make it 13-7 at the 15:11 mark. Emory & Henry struck back and a layup from sophomore forward Isaac Hymes (Phoenix, Ariz.) tied the game at 17-17. Tusculum held a narrow 21-20 lead at the midpoint of the frame, but the Wasps rattled off an 11-0 run of their own over the following four minutes to jump in front 31-21. The E&H margin stood at double digits with 3:42 to play until Tusculum finished the half with another run, this time putting up 11 consecutive points to take the 34-33 margin into the halftime break.
- The second stanza began as a back-and-forth affair that saw Emory & Henry clinging to a 43-42 lead after the opening five minutes. A bucket from junior forward Trenten Gerald (Charlotte, N.C.), a pair of free throws by sophomore guard Korbin Dixon (Milton, Ontario, CANADA) and a triple from freshman guard Melchior Hughes (Geneva, SWITZERLAND) gave the Wasps some separation at 50-42. The pesky Pioneers would not go away, as they slowly worked their way back into the game and eventually tied things up at 67-67 with just over four minutes left. TU made one of two attempts from the charity stripe to give themselves a one-point advantage, but the Wasps' offense came to life as they scored the next 11 points to put the game out of reach. TU knocked down a three-point jumper in the last seconds, but it was far too little too late as Emory & Henry earned its fifth win in six games.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Junior guard Jackson Crawford (Daleville, Va.) was the offensive leader for the Wasps as he went for a team-high 24 points, four rebounds and a pair of assists. Dixon recorded 21 points, four boards, one helper and a steal in the win.
- Hymes collected nine points and eight rebounds while Hughes had seven points, three rebounds, one steal and a blocked shot. Junior guard Jaden Andrew (St. John's, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA) posted six points, six assists, four rebounds and a steal for the Wasps.
Tusculum Individual Leaders
- Bryce Jackson led the Pioneers with a game-high 28 points, three rebounds and an assist. Damjan Vukcevic added 14 points, four blocked shots and a rebound.
- Denaj Kimber went for 10 points, one rebound, one assist and a steal while Amari Allen had six points, eight rebounds, four assists and a steal in the loss.
A Deeper Look
- E&H finished shooting 43.9% (25-for-57) from the field and knocked down 40.0% (12-for-30) of their shots from long range. The Wasps were 16-for-20 (80.0%) at the free throw line.
- Tusculum was 22-for-48 (45.8%) overall and made 33.3% (7-for-21) of their attempts from deep. The Pioneers made 74.1% (20-for-27) of their free throws.
- Emory & Henry crashed the glass, outrebounding Tusculum by a big 42-24 margin. The Wasps converted those boards into 12 second chance points, compared to just five for the home team.
- TU forced 12 E&H turnovers while committing just eight, but the teams were dead even at 13 points each off of those turnovers.
- The two teams were equal, each scoring 20 points in the painted area.
- The Wasps assisted on 17 of their made baskets while the Pioneers registered 11 helpers.
- The game saw five ties and eight lead changes.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry continues its road swing on Friday, January 23 when the Wasps travel to South Carolina to take on nationally-ranked Anderson (S.C.) University. Tip is scheduled for 5:00 p.m. from the Abney Athletic Center.
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