MURFREESBORO, NC - The men's basketball team played the Chowan University Hawks on Saturday afternoon. The Lions kept their record perfect in league play with a narrow 81-76 victory. The win moves Emmanuel to 6-1 (5-0 CC). 

The game was close early on, but started favoring the Hawks in the later part of the first half. Chowan slowly built a seven point lead, 28-21. The Lions quickly made up ground and tied the Hawks at 34 points with 23 seconds remaining. However, Chowan scored five points in the last five seconds of the half, all of them free throws off Emmanuel fouls. That gave the Hawks a five point advantage after 20 minutes, 39-34. 

Chowan held on to their lead for the first eight minutes of the second half until Emmanuel tied the game at 52. The score then seesawed until the Lions led by two points with four and a half minutes remaining, 67-65. A three pointer from senior Isaiah Foster was followed with the Lions scoring several points off turnovers as a quick burst of momentum gave them a 10 point lead, 75-65. The Hawks got back within four by the one minute mark, but a timely three from senior Tyonn Stuckey and then solid free throw shooting from Emmanuel sealed the game, 81-76. 

Sophomore KJ Jones II recorded a season-best 30 points, along with 4 boards and 3 takeaways. Tyonn Stuckey followed with 17 points, also finishing with 4 rebounds and 3 steals. 

Next up, men's basketball will face Young Harris College in an out of conference matchup on Wednesday, December 8. 

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