HARRISONBURG, Va. – With their first three games all decided by four points or less, the EMU men's basketball team made sure that didn't happen for a fourth straight game.

The Royals held a 16-point lead at the break and finished it off with a double-digit, 71-59, win over Goucher Tuesday night.  

Records: EMU 2-2, 0-0 ODAC | Goucher 1-4, 0-0 Landmark

Highlights

First Half

Aviwe Mahlong put EMU on the board first with two free throws just 17 seconds into the game. Goucher responded with a 9-3 run before a pair of threes from Julien Hagerman, a Landon Swingler bucket and a Michael Watlington layup put EMU ahead 15-9. Goucher was able to claw back and pull within three before a 12-2 EMU run forced a Goucher timeout. Out of the break, Andre Pacheco drilled a three and CJ McCord hit a layup to push the Royals lead to 17. Swingler hit another three and Mark Burkholder hit a pair of free throws to send EMU to the locker room ahead 43-27.

Second Half

The teams traded baskets to start the second half, with EMU maintaining its double-digit advantage. They extended their lead to 26 after Watlington, Burkholder, Mahlong and Swingler combined for an 11-0 tilt. The Gophers, however, wouldn't go away as they ended the game's final five minutes on a 17-5 run to cut the Royals final lead to 12.   

Statistical Leaders

Burkholder - 13 points, 10 rebounds

Swingler - 12 points, 4 assists 

Watlington - 11 points, 7 rebounds

What's Next

The Royals will have a short break to celebrate Thanksgiving before returning to the court on Saturday. They'll kick off ODAC play with a 2 pm game against Lynchburg.  

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