Franklin Springs, Ga – The Emmanuel Men's Basketball team hosted UNC Pembroke this afternoon in conference action. The Braves got off to a strong start, taking a 34-31 lead into halftime. UNC Pembroke pushed their lead to as much as 16 points in the second half, but the Lions rallied to pull within 2 points of the lead, falling 80-77. With the loss, the Lions fall to 11-12 on the season, 8-7 in conference play. 

 The two teams traded points and the lead to start off the game, with Sam Thacker and Devin Story getting in on the action early. Back-to-back threes from Ezra McKee and Massimo Moretti put the Lions up 15-8 with 13:51 to play in the half but the Braves tied the game at 15-15 with 11:43 to go. The Braves went on a 6-0 scoring run to take a 23-17 lead midway through the half, but the Lions answered to tie the game at the foul line, 25-25. The Braves pulled back ahead and closed out the half strong to take a 34-31 lead into the break. In the first, the Lions shot 38% from the field, connecting on 8-11 from the foul line. 

The Lions quickly tied the game up 34-34 to start off the 2^nd half on a three-pointer from Devin Story.  The Braves responded to pull ahead by as much as 16 points with 5:28 to play. 69-53. The Lions chipped away at the Braves lead on buckets from Story and McKee to pull within four points of the lead, 74-70. A pair of made free-throws by Andrija Vujacic pulled the Lions within two points, 74-72 but the Braves closed the game out at the foul line to earn a 80-77 victory. The Lions shot 48% from the field in the second half, connecting on 5-11 from beyond the arc. 

Devin Story led all scorers with 40 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals on the night, with Ezra McKee adding 16 points, 6 assists and 5 rebounds. 

Next up, the Lions will travel to Banner Elk, NC to face Lees McRae on Saturday at 4PM.

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