ANDERSON, S.C. – The Emory & Henry University Men's Basketball Team (11-7, 6-6 SAC) gave the number seven team in the nation Anderson (S.C.) University (17-1, 11-1 SAC) everything it could handle Friday evening, but eventually fell just short on the road in South Atlantic Conference play. The No. 7 Trojans held off the Wasps by a 61-54 final scoreline.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – No. 7 Anderson 61, Emory & Henry 54
LOCATION – Anderson, South Carolina
VENUE – Abney Athletic Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (11-7, 6-6 SAC); Anderson (S.C.) (17-1, 11-1 SAC)
How It Happened
- Both teams struggled to score the basketball to begin the game and things were all square at 5-5 at the first media timeout. The Trojans followed with an 11-1 run over the next four minutes of the contest to push their advantage out to 16-6 at the 10:56 mark of the opening half. The Wasps began to see their shots fall and a three-point basket from senior guard Omari Curley (Prince George, Va.) cut the Trojans' lead to just a pair at 21-19 with 4:36 remaining. Anderson managed to create a bit of breathing room over the final minutes of the frame and took a narrow 27-22 lead into the locker room at the halftime break.
- The squads went back and forth to start the second half and a jumper from long range by junior guard Jackson Crawford (Daleville, Va.) made it 36-32 in favor of the home team with 16:11 on the clock. The Trojans kept the Wasps at arm's length through the majority of the second frame, answering every E&H run with a run of their own as the score stood at 46-41 with 7:16 to play. The Wasps hung with the SAC leaders down the stretch, but could never get closer than five points as Anderson held on for the 61-54 conference win.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Crawford paced the Wasps with a team-high 14 points, two rebounds, one assist and a steal. Junior guard Jaden Andrew (St. John's, ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA) went for 11 points, two steals, one rebound and an assist.
- Senior forward Assad Madassalia (Brooklyn, N.Y.) finished with seven points, six boards, two blocked shots and a pair of assists while sophomore guard Korbin Dixon (Milton, Ontario, CANADA) had nine points, five rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
Anderson Individual Leaders
- Osmar Garcia-Araujo led all scorers with a double-double of 20 points, 11 rebounds, two blocks, two steals and an assist. Kadyn Dawkins added 15 points and four rebounds.
- AJ Wright Jr. collected nine points, five rebounds, four assists and a trio of steals. Rashawn Inglemon posted six points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 38.0% (19-for-50) from the field and 43.8% (7-for-16) from three-point range. The Wasps struggled at the free throw line, converting just 50% (9-for-18) of their attempts.
- Anderson recorded a season low 34.1% (15-for-44) overall shooting while knocking down just 31.8% (7-for-22) of their long range shots. The Trojans made constant trips to the free throw line, making 75.0% (24-for-32) of their chances.
- The two teams were dead even at 34 rebounds each.
- E&H committed 20 turnovers which the Trojans converted into 16 points, while AU turned the ball over on 18 occasions which led to 13 points for the Wasps.
- Emory & Henry outscored the Trojans by a 20-16 margin in the painted area.
- The Trojans got out in transition, tallying 11 fastbreak points compared to just one point for the Wasps.
- The contest saw four ties and a pair of lead changes.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry is back at home on Wednesday, January 28 when the Wasps host the Railsplitters of Lincoln Memorial University. Tip is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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