FREDERICK, MD --- Playing in their fourth two-day event of the season, the EMU basketball men showed they know the meaning of "win and advance." Despite letting a four-point lead slip away in the final minute of regulation, the Runnin Royals got the edge again in overtime and snuck by Piedmont College by a final of 69-66.
Eastern Mennonite advances to the championship game of the Rotary of Frederick Holiday Classic hosted by Hood College in Frederick, Md. They will play Frostburg State Sunday afternoon at 3:00pm. The Bobcats beat Hood 82-77 in the late game Saturday night.
With the win, the Royals proved they could advance despite not firing on all cylinders. EMU had shot 52% or better in their three previous games, but they were held to a season-low 31.9% by the Lions. The men did limit Piedmont to 40% shooting, including just 1-for-15 from three point range as they won the first game of a two-day event for the fourth time in four tries this season.
The contest had an eerie start for two teams used to high-scoring affairs, as the Lions never trailed in the first half and led just 33-27 at the break.
But EMU opened the second on an 11-3 run and took their first lead at 38-36 thanks to a three-point play from Ryan Yates (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) with 16:00 left on the clock. Piedmont quickly regained a small edge and still led 55-51 with 5:44 to go. Led by David Falk (Madison, Va./Madison County) and RaShawn Latimer (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run), the Royals scored the next eight points to vault in front 59-55 with 2:22 remaining.
The men left the door open for a comeback, however, by not scoring again in regulation. Piedmont scored on their final two possessions, including a game-tying jumper with 12 seconds left, to force OT locked at 59-59.
The teams traded leads early in extra time, with Yates putting the Royals back in front 67-66 on a bucket with 1:28 to play. EMU got a steal and defensive stand to keep the lead, and iced the win by hitting 2-of-4 free throws in the final nine seconds. The Lions missed a three pointer with two ticks left and Yates grabbed the final rebound to seal it.
Despite missing a few free throws at key times, the Runnin Royals earned the win at charity stripe. They finished 17-31 from the line while Piedmont was 9-11. The men were also 8-27 from long range while holding the Lions to just the one triple make.
Marcel Crump (Richmond, Va. Highland Springs) labored his way to a team best 17 points. He was also one of three men with three assists. Falk had eight rebounds, seven points and five blocked shots, while Yates chipped in with 10 boards, eight points and three assists.
EMU's freshmen gave them a vital boost in the win. Latimer hit a pair of three pointers and tied his career high with 10 points and three assists. Jerome Jones (Charles Town, W.V./Washington) nailed a trio of triples for nine points, while Isaiah Harris-Winn (Frederick, Md./St. Maria Goretti) also had nine counters playing in front of his hometown crowd.
Brian Edwards led four Piedmont players in double figures with 21 points and eight rebounds. Chase England had 15 points and nine boards.
The Royals take a 7-3 record into Sunday's championship game. It will be their final outing until a January 7 ODAC contest at Shenandoah, a break of 17 days.