HARRISONBURG, Va. - Saturday was a perfect example of why we play both halves in a basketball game. 

On the day where EMU celebrating its seniors, it was Ferrum celebrating in the first half as they took an 11-point lead into the break. But it would be the Royals with the last laugh as they outscored the Panthers 51-34 in the second half to pick up a 77-71 win in its regular season finale. The Royals finished the regular season at 10-13, 8-8 ODAC. 

Highlights

• Ferrum jumped out to an early 3-0 lead before Kobi Alexander, getting the start for senior day, hit a jump shot, giving EMU its first points of the game. The Panthers continued to hold a lead for the next six minutes until, leading 12-10, Mark Burkholder made a layup to tie the game. Ferrum answered with a three to pull back ahead and the two teams traded points to 18-16. Ferrum then went on a 7-0 run, forcing an EMU time out. 
• Out of the timeout, a Panther layup put FC up by double digits, 27-16. A Tim Jones layup ended the Royals scoring drought, and the Royals went on a run of their own, outscoring Ferrum 6-3 to pull within six, 30-24. Ferrum ended the half, however, on a 7-2 tilt and took a 37-26 lead into the locker room. 
• The Panthers extended the lead to 13 to start the half but back-to-back buckets from Jones and Burkholder cut the lead to nine. A Jones dunk brought the crowd to their feet and breathed some life into Yoder Arena. Ferrum added a basket but Aviwe Mahlong answered with a layup and-one, nailing the freethrow to pull the Royals within five. Ferrum answered with four straight to push the lead back to nine until Mizz Nyagwegwe drilled a three, his first of the game, to cut the lead to 44-38. 
• The teams traded points to 47-40 and Ferrum pulled back out to double-digits, leading 53-42 before Jameel Davis nailed back-to-back threes to cut the lead to five. A Mahlong three pulled EMU within two before five straight from the Panthers pushed the lead to 58-51. Seven straight from Jones, Chris Simmons and Davis tied the game at 58 and after a Ferrum bucket, Jones made another layup tying things at 60. Back and forth points saw Ferrum pull ahead by four before a Nyagwegwe three and a DaiJordan Brown three sandwiched a Ferrum basket, tying things at 66. Brown added a basket and Burkholder sunk a pair of freethrows to give EMU its largest lead of the game and put the nail in the Panthers coffin. The Royals made their freethrows down the stretch and helped EMU pick up the win. 
• Jones paced the Royals, finishing with 20 points, 12 points and nine assists, falling one dish shy of a triple-double. Mahlong added 12 points and five boards while Davis chipped in nine. 

By the Numbers

• 7 - The eight ODAC wins by the Royals are the most conference wins by EMU since the 2014-15 season. 
• 7th - Jones finished the regular season averaging 16.6 PPG, which was good enough for seven in the ODAC. The senior scored in double-digits in 20 of the Royals 23 games. 
• 7 pm - The Royals finished the season eighth in the ODAC and will host first round game, taking on rival Bridgewater. 

Postgame Interview with Davis, Jones and Coach Felix

What's Next

EMU will now turn its attention to the ODAC Tournament. They'll take on Bridgewater Monday at 7 pm with the winner advancing to the quarterfinals and a date with #1 Randolph-Macon. 

To keep up to date with everything surrounding the men's basketball program this year follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.