FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. - The No. 1 seed Emmanuel College men's basketball team defeated the No. 8 seed Lees-McRae College, 81-70 on Tuesday night in the Conference Carolinas Quarterfinals. With this Win, the Lions will host the remainder of the Conference Carolinas Tournament on Saturday, March 9th and Sunday, March 10th. The tournament semifinals will kick off on Saturday at 2:00pm with No. 1 Emmanuel taking on No. 4 Mount olive, followed by No. 2 Belmont Abbey taking on No. 3 Barton at 4:00pm.

The Bobcats outshot the Lions in the opening half with a 50% shooting percentage to take an early lead. Trailing by seven, the Lions would retaliate with a nine point run to steal the lead. Junior Charlie Velazquez would extend the Lions reach with a three-pointer followed by two successful free-throws from Senior Kendrick Colvin. The lead would swap a couple more times before the Bobcats found themselves leading by five in the final minute. In a final effort to lessen the gap before half time, Freshman Jackson Bailey would put in a layup and one to put the Lions within two points. Senior Austin Green followed up with a last second steal and layup to tie up the game, 34-34.

Upon returning from half time, the Lions improved their field goal percentage to 56.5% and out rebounded the Bobcats 19-11. Emmanuel began to break away, leading by as much as 14 points before the time expired. The Lions finished the night with an 81-70 victory.

Austin Greene led all players with 24 points. Sophomore Brandon Simpson grabbed 12 rebounds and 14 points for a double-double.

For more news on Emmanuel College Athletics, visit goeclions.com.