MURFREESBORO, NC – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team traveled to Murfreesboro, NC this afternoon to face Chowan University in conference play. The Lions took the lead early, taking a 43-38 lead into the break. The Hawks kept things close in the 2^nd half, taking the lead late and finishing the game strong to earn the 84-73 win. 

The Lions jumped out to an 8-2 lead early in the first behind jumpers from Devin Story and Sam Thacker. The Hawks responded well to tie things at 12-12 and the two teams traded points and the lead until late in the half. The Lions finished out the half on a 5-0 run at the foul line with key buckets by Brady Peery and Thacker to give the Lions a 43-38 lead heading into the break. In the first, the Lions shot 15-27 (56%) from the field and 7-13 (54%) from beyond the arc. 

The second half saw the Hawks take the early lead, 46-43 but the Lions answered with a layup by Ezra McKee and a three-pointer by Isaac Jones to give the Lions a seven-point lead, 53-46 with 16:14 to play. The Hawks cut the Lions lead to two points midway through the half, but a jumper by Story and a layup by McKee pushed the Lions lead bak up to 6 with 9:14 to go, 65-59. With 6:49 to play, the Hawks took a 66-65 lead and finished the game strong to win, 84-73. 

Three Lions ended the night in double-figures scoring with Devin Story leading the way with 27 points, 4 assists and 2 steals. Sam Thacker had 13 points and 2 assists on the afternoon, with Ezra McKee contributing 12 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals. Rett VanDeMark led the Lions in rebounds with 6 on the afternoon. 

Next up, the Lions will host Shorter University on Tuesday at 7PM.

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.