HARRISONBURG, Va. - Sometimes, games are won or lost early on or through a series of plays. Other times, it just takes one shot. A dagger that ends the hopes of the other team. 

For EMU, Aviwe Mahlong wielded that dagger. With just under seven minutes left and neither team able to grab any momentum, Mahlong took a pass from Tim Jones and nailed a three and the Royals held on for a 72-70 win over the Maroons. The win improves EMU to 7-10, 5-5 ODAC. 

Highlights

• Tim Jones got the scoring started for EMU, hitting a jumper that would be a preview of things to come. Roanoke's Kasey Draper, the ODAC's second-leading scorer, would answer with six straight of his own and give Roanoke an 8-2 lead. Both teams would turn out to be hot from the field, with Roanoke seeming to answer anytime EMU gained any traction. With the Maroons leading 16-10, jumpers from Jones and Landon Swingler and Chris Simmons tied things at 16. After a Roanoke three-point play, Mark Burkholder hit his first trey of the game, tying things once again. An and-one from Swingler gave EMU it's first lead since 2-0, 24-23 at the 8:22 mark. 
• Roanoke went on a 6-2 run, pulling ahead by three, but Burkholder tied things up against with another big three. The game would tie three more times in the half before Draper hit a layup with time winding down to send Roanoke to the locker room ahead 37-35. EMU had a strong game from the floor in the first half but the Maroons were on fire, shooting 59.3%. 
• The Maroons were able to extend their lead to three to start the second half but Jones answered with a three, tying the game at 40. Two freethrows put RC back on top but Jones nailed another three, giving the Royals a one-point advantage. Roanoke scored five straight to pull ahead by four but the Royals would continue to battle. After trading baskets, with the game tied at 51, Burkholder put EMU ahead with a traditional three. Once again, the lead wasn't safe as Roanoke rallied to tie things at 58. Jones hit a pair of freethrows and Mahlong drilled his three to give EMU a 63-58 lead. The Royals would extend their lead to seven late in the game, before Roanoke made it close and had a chance to tie things late. Trailing 72-70, Efosa U-Edosomwan was fouled by Swingler and sent to the line with a chance to tie. He missed both freethrows and Swingler finished his big game, grabbing the rebound to run out the clock. 
• Jones had a monster game, finishing with a game-high 29 points. He was 10-13 from the field, missing just once in the first half. Swingler had his best game as a Royal, adding a career-high 14 points to go along with five rebounds and four steals. Burkholder and Mahlong chipped in 11 each. 

By the Numbers

• 22% - Draper finished with 18 points on 7-9 shooting in the first half for Roanoke. The Royals defense held him to just 2-9 shooting in the second half and just seven points.
• 76.9 - Jones' 29 points came on a career-high shooting night for the graduate student. 
• 2537 days - The last time EMU beat Roanoke was Feb. 15, 2015. That night, the Royals took down the Maroons 88-71.  

Postgame Interview with Jones, Swingler and Coach Felix

What's Next

EMU will look to continue its winning ways when they take on Lynchburg Saturday at Yoder Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 2 pm. The 2010 Elite Eight team will be honored after the game. 

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