SPARTANBURG, SC – The #2 seed Emmanuel Men's Basketball team took to the court tonight in the 2024 Atlantic Casualty Conference Carolinas Basketball Championship Semifinals against #3 seeded, Chowan University. The match up was as advertised with multiple ties and lead changes early, but the Lions took control of the game midway through the first and came away with the win, 81-69 to move to on to the finals tomorrow at 1PM. With the win, the Lions improve to 25-5 on the season. 
 
Both teams shot well in the first half which made for an interesting start to the game. In the first half alone, there were six ties and nine lead changes. The Lions, however, took control of the lead for good on a three-pointer from Tavarus Webb with 6:59 to play in the half. Webb finished the night 11-13 from the field and 2-2 from three. As a team, the Lions were 13-24 from the floor and 5-11from beyond the arc in the first. At the break, Emmanuel led Chowan by three, 37-34. 
 
In the second, the Lions continued to control the pace of the game, expanding their lead to as much as 13 points. The Lions were 15-33 from the field and 12-16 from the foul line. The Hawks would mount a comeback late in the game, getting within four points of the lead. But the Lions would build their lead back up with four made free throws by KJ Jones II. Jones had 19 of his 33 points in the 2^nd half and was 13-14 from the foul line.  The Lions would close out the game on a 12-4 run to get the win, 81-69. 
 
KJ Jones II led the way for the Lions with 33 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal. Tavarus Webb contributed 25 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals, and Kendall Latney added 12 points, 4 rebounds, an assist, and a steal. 
 
The Lions will now move onto the finals against a familiar foe, #1 seed, UNC Pembroke. The teams battled late in the regular season with the Lions coming out on top, 78-67.
 
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.