FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team opened up play in the Christmas in the Springs Classic this afternoon against Coker University. The Lions got off to a hot start offensively and took a 31-30 lead into the break. The Cobras kept things close in the 2
nd half, but the Lions held on to earn the 68-65 victory behind a 21-point afternoon by
Devin Story. With the win, the Lions move to 4-8 on the season.
Emmanuel jumped out to an early 11-3 lead in the first half behind key plays by
Devin Story, Issac Jones and
Massimo Moretti. The Cobras responded to cut the Lions lead to 11-7, but Jones connected on three consecutive free throws and Story followed that up with a three-pointer to make it 17-9 Lions with 8:28 to play in the first. The Cobras responded with a 10-2 run to tie the game at 19-19, but
Brady Peery closed out the half with 8 points in the final two minutes of the half to give the Lions a 31-30 lead heading into the break. In the first half, the Lions shot 10-25 from the field (40%), connecting on 8-10 from the foul line.
The Lions pushed their lead to six points early in the second half behind jumpers from Story and
Sam Thacker, but Coker quickly responded to tie the game at 41-41 with 11:57 to play. The teams traded points and the lead, with
Massimo Moretti getting hot for the Lions scoring eight points to put the Lions up 53-52 with 7:48 to play.
Ezra McKee and Story kept things going for the Lions, connecting on 3-4 from the foul line to make it 56-53, Lions. The Cobras took the lead with 5:00 to play going up by as much as 4 points, but the Lions answered with a three-pointer and free throws by McKee to put the Lions back up 61-60 with 2:14 to play. A layup by Story put the Lions on top 65-63 and Emmanuel held on to earn the 68-65 victory. In the half the Lions were 12-27 from the field (44%) and 10-14 from the foul line.
Devin Story led the Lions with 21 points and 7 rebounds on the afternoon, with
Ezra McKee adding a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
Massimo Moretti contributed 10 points on the day.
Next up, the Lions will face Georgia College to close out the Christmas in the Springs Tournament tomorrow at 3PM.
For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.