CENTRAL, SC – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team traveled to Central, SC to face the Southern Wesleyan University Warriors in conference action. The Lions took an early lead, but the Warriors responded well to head into the break leading 39-36. The Warriors carried their momentum into the second half, outscoring the Lions 51-45 to earn the 90-81 win. With the loss, the Lions fall to 7-9 on the season, 4-4 in conference play.

The Lions opened up the scoring, jumping out to a 13-5 lead behind key plays from Isaac Jones, Devin Story and Sam Thacker. The Warriors answered to pull within four points, 16-12 with 12:49 to play in the half, but the Lions pulled back ahead on a three-pointer from Story and a layup from Massimo Moretti to make it 21-14, Lions with 11:06 to play in the first. The Warriors used a 12-8 run to pull within three points of the lead, 29-26 with 5:41 to play in the first and finished the half strong to take a 39-36 lead heading into the break. In the first, the Lions were 14-31 from the field, connecting on 6-15 from three-point range. 

The Warriors carried their momentum into the second half, pulling ahead by double digits early. SWU would get up by as much as 20 points with 9:25 to play, 67-47. The Lions roared back behind a 41-point night from Devin Story to fall by 9, 90-81. 

Story led all scorers with 41 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists and a steal. Isaac Jones added 11 points, 4 rebounds, and an assist with Sam Thacker picking up 9 points, 5 rebounds and 2 assists.

Next up, the Lions will host Ferrum on Saturday at 4PM.

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