Box Score ROME, GA – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team traveled to Rome, GA tonight to take on Shorter University in conference play. The Lions jumped out to an early lead, but the Hawks made a late comeback in the first half to trail 39-34 at the break. In the second half, the Lions pulled ahead by double digits to earn the win 84-71! With the win, the Lions improve to 11-11 on the season, 8-6 in conference.

The Lions took an early 16-5 lead behind three-pointers by Devin Story, Isaac Jones and Ezra McKee. Jones continued to stay hot from beyond the arc, with back-to-back threes to put the Lions up 24-12 with 11:49 to play in the first. Midway through the half, Jones and Massimo Moretti each connected from three-point range to put the Lions up 32-15. The Hawks responded with a run to cut the Lions lead to 37-34 with 25 seconds to go in the half. Devin Story closed out the half with a layup to put the Lions up 39-34 heading into the break. In the first, the Lions shot 46% from the field, connecting on 8-16 from three-point range.

The Lions opened up the second half from the free throw line, with buckets from Ezra McKee and Devin Story to push the Lions lead to 42-34. Sam Thacker got in on the scoring action, connecting from three-point range to put the Lions up 45-34 with 17:54 to play. Buckets from Thacker, Story and Rett VanDeMark put the Lions up by 9 with 11:58 to play, The Hawks cut the Lions lead to 7 points with 10 minutes to play, but Thacker connected from three-point range to push the Lions lead back up to 10, 66-56. With under four minutes to play, the Hawks cut the Lions lead to 6, but a three-pointer from Moretti and foul shots from Thacker pushed the Lions lead to 76-55 with 2:19 to play. The Lions closed out the game strong to earn the 84-71 win.

Four Lions ended the night in double figures scoring, with Devin Story leading the way with 21 points, 9 rebounds and 6 assists. Isaac Jones added 18 points, with Ezra McKee picking up 16 points and 5 rebounds and Sam Thacker contributing 15 points and 5 assists. 

Next up the Lions will host UNC Pembroke on Saturday at 4PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.