FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga - The Emmanuel College men's basketball team continued conference play on Saturday against the Belmont Abbey Crusaders. The Lions defeated the Crusaders 82-78, moving their record to 10-8 overall and 7-3 in conference. 

 

The Lions built up a 10 point lead over the first 15 minutes of the game. However, a late push from the Crusaders tied the game going into halftime, 32-32. 

 

The Crusaders got hot early in the second half, gaining a 13 point lead after going on a 19-6 run in the first five minutes after the break. It was a messy stretch of basketball, with technical fouls called on both teams and a host of turnovers against the Lions. 

 

The Lions charged back into the game thanks to a hot stretch from beyond the arc. Emmanuel made 9 three pointers in the second half alone, three of them coming from sophomore Michael Wright. However, the Lions still trailed by 9 points with five minutes left in the game, 61-52. Over the next three minutes, the Lions managed to pull within three points. Wright made his fourth three pointer of the night with two minutes left, tying the game 74-74. After a foul on the other end of the court, freshman KJ Jones II went 1 for 2 from the line. Junior Brandon Simpson got an offensive rebound after Jones II missed the second free throw, scoring a layup and getting fouled himself. Simpson converted the free throw, giving the lions the lead, 78-74. 

 

All of the sudden the Lions had flipped the script, controlling the game as the clock wound down to a minute to play. The Crusaders were unable to fully recover and the Lions went on to win by four, 82-78. 

 

The Lions were led by Jones II with 21 points, while Wright and Simpson finished with 14 each. 

 

Next up, men's basketball will take on North Greenville University on Wednesday, January 22. 

 

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