FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team hosted Belmont Abbey College tonight in conference action. The two teams traded points early, with Isaac Jones and Massimo Moretti getting hot from beyond the arc early to give the Lions a 28-25 lead heading into break. Following the half, the Lions pushed their lead to double digits quickly and controlled the pace of the game the rest of the way earning the win, 71-61. With the victory the Lions improve to 9-11 on the season, 6-6 in conference action. 

Isaac Jones got things started early for the Lions, connecting on three three-pointers in the first five minutes of play, giving the Lions a 13-10 lead with 14:46 to play in the half. A floating jumper by Ezra McKee put the Lions up by 5, but the Crusaders responded to tie the game at 15-15 with 11:40 to go. The Lions roared back with Massimo Moretti connecting on three three-pointers in under a minute, giving the Lions a 24-17 lead with 9:04 to play in the first. The Crusaders closed the gap to a point with 1:56 to play in the half, 26-25. The Lions finished the half leading 28-25. In the first, the Lions shot 38% from the field, connecting on 40% from beyond the arc.

The Lions opened the game up in the second half, pushing their lead to double digits quickly. McKee started the second half with a quick seven points to push the Lions lead to 37-25 with 16:47 to play.  Jones kept his hot hand, connecting on back-to-back threes to give the Lions a 43-28 lead with 14:52 to play. Moretti hit the next two threes, pushing the Lions lead to 51-35 with 8:06 to play. Brady Peery got in on the action scoring five straight points to put the Lions up 58-42 with 5:49 to play. With 3:51 to play, the Crusaders cut the Lions lead to 10, 58-48, and the teams traded foul shots to make it 64-55, Lions with 1:28 to play. The Lions closed out the game at the foul line, with Ezra McKee connecting on 5-6 from the line in the final minute of play to make the final score 71-61, Lions. The Lions shot 52% from the field in the half, connecting on 40% from beyond the arc. 

Four Lions ended the night in double figures, with Ezra McKee leading the way with 19 points, 9 rebounds, and 3 steals. Massimo Moretti and Isaac Jones added 15 points apiece, with each connecting on 5 from beyond the arc. Devin Story contributed 11 points, while Sam Thacker led the team in assists with 7.

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

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