Jan 29, 2011
SALEM, VA -- Even after a week off, the offense was in fine form at halftime Saturday. But the defense was a bit suspect. So the Runnin Royals took care of business in the second half, holding Roanoke to 41% shooting and forcing 12 turnovers. Eastern Mennonite used that defense to turn a seven-point halftime lead into a 116-89 victory over the Maroons on the road.
The teams traded leads in the first half, with Roanoke holding its biggest edge at 32-26. But the EMU men took over the lead and then closed the half on a 10-2 run to hold a 57-50 edge at the break.
Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) was on fire in the first 20 minutes, as he had 22 points and five rebounds by halftime.
The Royals blew the game open with a quick 10-0 run over a two-minute span early in the second, pushing the lead into double digits.
The defense controlled Roanoke the rest of the game as the lead was never threatened in the 27-point win.
Phillips led EMU with a season high 30 points. He was also tops with eight rebounds and four assists. Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) added a career high 22 points along with seven rebounds. The two players each shot 11 free throws in the game and combined to go 19-22 from the stripe.
Freshman Marlon Organ (Harrisonburg, Va./Spotswood) also hit his career high with 14 points. George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) came in with 10 points, three assists and three steals.
Matt Crizer led Roanoke with 24 points and Melvin Felix added 23.
Eastern Mennonite shot a blazing 52% from the floor in the game, including 13-28 from three point range. The Royals also made frequent trips to the free throw line, going 35-46.
The Maroons finished at 44% shooting including 8-20 from long range. Roanoke was also 23-27 from the free throw line.
The Runnin Royals had an impressive 43-33 edge in rebounding, including 17 offensive boards.
The wins puts No. 18 EMU back into the win column after last Saturday's loss at Randolph. At 14-4 overall and 5-4 in the ODAC, the Royals are at Lynchburg next Wednesday before hosting Randolph on Saturday.
The teams traded leads in the first half, with Roanoke holding its biggest edge at 32-26. But the EMU men took over the lead and then closed the half on a 10-2 run to hold a 57-50 edge at the break.
Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) was on fire in the first 20 minutes, as he had 22 points and five rebounds by halftime.
The Royals blew the game open with a quick 10-0 run over a two-minute span early in the second, pushing the lead into double digits.
The defense controlled Roanoke the rest of the game as the lead was never threatened in the 27-point win.
Phillips led EMU with a season high 30 points. He was also tops with eight rebounds and four assists. Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) added a career high 22 points along with seven rebounds. The two players each shot 11 free throws in the game and combined to go 19-22 from the stripe.
Freshman Marlon Organ (Harrisonburg, Va./Spotswood) also hit his career high with 14 points. George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) came in with 10 points, three assists and three steals.
Matt Crizer led Roanoke with 24 points and Melvin Felix added 23.
Eastern Mennonite shot a blazing 52% from the floor in the game, including 13-28 from three point range. The Royals also made frequent trips to the free throw line, going 35-46.
The Maroons finished at 44% shooting including 8-20 from long range. Roanoke was also 23-27 from the free throw line.
The Runnin Royals had an impressive 43-33 edge in rebounding, including 17 offensive boards.
The wins puts No. 18 EMU back into the win column after last Saturday's loss at Randolph. At 14-4 overall and 5-4 in the ODAC, the Royals are at Lynchburg next Wednesday before hosting Randolph on Saturday.