FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team hosted Shorter University tonight in conference play. The Lions jumped ahead early, taking a 50-34 lead into the break. In the second half, the Hawks rallied, shooting 61% from the field to cut the Lions lead to two points, 62-60 late but the Lions held onto earn the 87-83 win to move to 3-8 on the season, 3-3 in conference.
The Lions took an early 9-4 lead in the first half behind 7 quick points by
Ezra McKee. The Lions pushed their lead to double digits, with
Massimo Moretti and
Brady Peery feeling it from three-point range to make it 26-13, Lions with 10:58 play in the first. Moretti would connect on four threes in the first half to lead the Lions. The Lions would close out the half strong, shooting 52% from the field and 7-17 from three-point range to take a 50-34 lead heading into the break.
The Hawks came out strong in the second half, cutting the Lions lead to 7 with 15:10 to play, 58-51. Back-to-back layups from McKee and Thacker pushed the Lions lead back up to double digits, 62-51 but the Hawks rallied to come within two points of the lead with 11:55 to play, 60-52.
Devin Story, Peery, and Thacker answered to pull ahead, 77-68 with 6:57 to play. The Hawks kept things close, but the Lions closed out the game at the foul line to earn the win, 87-83. In the half, the Lions shot 50% from the field and 6-8 from the free throw line.
Five Lions ended the night in double figures, with
Ezra McKee and
Sam Thacker leading the way with 19 points apiece. McKee added 7 rebounds and a block.
Massimo Moretti went 5-9 from three-point range with 15 points on the night, while
Devin Story grabbed another double double with 13 points, 15 assists and 6 rebounds.
Brady Peery rounded out the leading scorers with 10 points and 4 rebounds on the night.
Next up, the Lions will host the Christmas in the Springs Classic on Saturday, December 21 and Sunday, December 22. The Lions will face Coker University on Saturday at 3PM.
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.
