For Immediate Release - 2/4/09 - #175
Eastern Mennonite Prevails 79-76 in an ODAC Thriller from Lynchburg
LYNCHBURG, VA - The Eastern Mennonite University men's basketball team came back from a 12-point second-half deficit to defeat Lynchburg College 79-76 in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) thriller from Lynchburg, VA, Wednesday evening.
EMU led by one, 14-13, with 10:10 left in the first-half, but LC went on a 13-2 run over the next five minutes to take a 27-16 lead. The Hornets closed out the half strong to go into intermission with a 10-point lead. LC continued to play strong after halftime and led 57-45 with 11:31 left in the game. EMU made a resounding comeback, going on a 15-2 run over four minutes to cut the deficit to 60-59. The Hornets would hold on to the lead until the 1:57 mark when the Royals took the lead on a Todd Phillips layup. Phillips and and Orie Pancione scored five of the next seven points in the game until Steven Echols (Martinsville, VA/Carlisle) nailed a fall-away three pointer from the right corner with 20 seconds left to cut the Royal lead to just one, 75-74. Danny Reed (Adamstown, MD/Tuscarora) made a tip-in shot sandwiched between four George Johnson free throws to give the Royals a three-point advantage with five seconds left. Reed heaved up a 30 foot three pointer that fell short from the right wing as time expired to preserve an EMU victory.
Echols had a marvelous performance, posting his second career double-double as he finished with a career-high 32 points, tied his career-high in rebounds with 10, and also added on five steals and four assists. He was 11-21 overall, 6-11 from three range, and 4-4 from the foul line. KC Mendez (San Antonio, TX/Winston Churchill) contributed with 12 points, six boards, and four helpers and Reed added 10 points and four caroms.
George Johnson led the Royals with 31 points, shooting 8-10 from the field, 5-7 from deep, and 10-12 from the charity stripe. Phillips posted 20 points and eight rebounds and Pancione contributed with 14 points and six boards. Eastern Mennonite (13-7/6-4 ODAC) shot 45.1% for the game compared to 42.2% for the Hornets. The Royals were 7-19 from three point range, and LC was 6-19. The free throw line provided a decisive edge to EMU as they were 26-36 from the line and LC was 16 for 18. Lynchburg outrebounded Eastern Mennonite 39-32 and had a 38-20 advantage in points in the paint.
Lynchburg will entertain Randolph-Macon College Saturday afternoon at 3 p.m. in Turner Gym.
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