EMU ends skid with win over Washington and Lee

With two minutes left in the game, EMU led 73-64 and Washington and Lee turned to fouling.  It was a calculated risk, most likely directed by the Runnin’ Royals’ recent history.  But the Royals answered the call, calmly making 12-of-14 free throws down the stretch to lock up an 85-76 victory in Harrisonburg on Wednesday.

Much like previous games during the now-broken six-game losing streak, Eastern Mennonite (7-10 / 2-7 ODAC) did a lot of things well, including holding a +2 turnover margin and out-rebounding a taller opponent, 41-36.  The men’s ability to hold on to the lead over the final minutes made the difference this time.

Jerome Jones (Charles Town, W.V./Washington) hit back-to-back threes to open the game against Washington and Lee (10-7 / 3-5 ODAC).  The Generals used a 10-0 run to skip ahead 26-19, but RaShawn Latimer (Warrenton, Va./Kettle Run) had a personal 8-2 run to get the men back within 28-27.  The Royals led 36-34 at halftime.

The men led by as many as five early in the second before a three-point play from Devin Kearns locked the score up at 54-54 with 10 minutes to go.  Jerome Jones canned another triple, Xavier McCants (Olney, Md./Sherwood) sunk a pair of free throws, and Christian Hansen (Manassas Park, Va./Osbourn Park) threw down a fastbreak alley-oop dunk to cap a 7-0 run and put the Royals back in charge.

EMU never let the Generals get any momentum from there.  Maleke Jones (Charles Town, W.V./Washington) drilled a three ball to put the lead at 73-63 with 2:27 showing.  That turned out to be the last field goal for the Royals, as they scored their final 12 from the stripe.

The men had a slight shooting edge at 43% to 42%, but made the difference by sinking four more three pointers than W&L and going 23-30 from the free throw line.  The Generals finished 14-18.

Latimer led a balanced attack with 17 points, his second highest output of the season.  Twins Maleke and Jerome Jones each scored 16, with Maleke handing out four assists and Jerome tying for the team high with seven rebounds.

Isaiah Harris-Winn (Frederick, Md./St. Maria Goretti) added 12 points, and big man Sammy Thomas (Owings, Md./Northern) had nine points and seven rebounds.  Hansen added seven boards in 14 minutes of playing time.

Andy Kleinlein led the Generals with 21 points, nine rebounds and five assists.  Andrew Franz scored 16 and Clayton Murtha was good for 14 and nine.

EMU gets a tough road challenge Saturday at 2:00pm, playing at Lynchburg (13-5 / 6-3 ODAC).