BRIDGEWATER, Va. – The Royals wrapped up their first road trip of the season, while also picking up their first win of the season, in the final day of the Carlyle Whitelow Invitational.
The Royals trailed by five with just over six minutes left in the game, but finished on a 14-5 run to pick up an 84-80 win over Albright College.
Records: EMU 1-1, 0-0 ODAC | Albright 1-2,0-0 MAC Commonwealth
Highlights
First Half
The Royals jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after a DaiJordan Brown bucket and a Julien Hagerman three. After the Lions had tied things at seven, five straight points from Mark Burkholder gave EMU a five-point advantage. They extended their lead to 11 with back-to-back Hagerman threes but midway through the frame, Albright was able to pull within two, 27-25. An Aviwe Mahlong freethrow and layup, coupled with a Burkholder three pushed the lead to eight. They continued to maintain, and a Thurman Smith three gave EMU a nine-point lead but Albright ended the half on a 10-3 run and cut EMU's lead to 44-42 at the half.
Second Half
A Landon Swingler three and a Mahlong and-one sandwiched an AC basket and put EMU ahead by five. EMU kept their lead, but Albright wouldn't go away, answering EMU's offense almost point-for-point throughout the half. With the Royals up by three, Albright scored eight straight, taking a 71-66 lead. They held onto that five point lead until Brown hit a pair of freethrows, Burkholder and Hagerman scored on layups and Burkholder added a three to put EMU back on top, 79-75. A Lion layup at the 1:03 mark pulled AC within two, 82-80, but Brown would hit a pair of freethrows and the EMU defense would hold Abright scoreless to pick up the four-point win.
Statistical Leaders
Burkholder – 15 points, 12 rebounds
Mahlong – 22 points, 8 rebounds
Hagerman – 15 points
Swingler – 14 points, 6 assists
What's Next
EMU will stay on the road to start 2022-23, heading to Pennsylvania next Saturday for a matchup with Gettysburg. Tipoff is scheduled for 3 pm.
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