Central, S.C. – The Warriors fell to the Emmanuel College Lions in Conference Carolinas action on Saturday evening in a final score of 91-72.

Darius Sharpe led the Warriors with 25 points in the loss. He was followed by Jeremy Wert with 13 and Tyus Gaines with 12. Southern Wesleyan posted a 44.3% field goal percentage and went 14-19 at the free throw line. Gaines led the team in assists with six of the 11 made by the Warriors. He was followed by Sharpe with three.

Southern Wesleyan made 32 rebounds in the loss compared to the Lions 31. Tyus Gaines and Justice McCullough led the Warriors with six apiece. They were followed by Darius Sharpe with five. McCullough had a block against the Lions. Gaines and Wert led Southern Wesleyan in steals with two each. They were followed by McCullough with one.

Game Vitals

Final: Emmanuel 91, Southern Wesleyan 72

Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-21/CC 2-14), Emmanuel (14-10/CC 9-7)

Coach Wimphrie Says…

"We played very hard tonight.  I was proud of the team's effort.  Emmanuel plays with such resiliency and they made us pay for our mistakes which separated the game midway through the second half.  Tyus Gaines played an overall good game from the point guard spot.  Darius Sharpe played another great game in spite of the multiple defenses the opponents threw at him.  I like the character the entire team showed throughout the game."

How It Happened

The Emmanuel College Lions struck first in the contest on Saturday evening. They gained an early 5-0 lead before a layup from Zalan Richards put the Warriors on the board. Both teams continued to rally and a layup from Darius Sharpe put the Warriors within four at 12-8. The Warriors fought hard and were within two after a layup from Justice McCullough. Free throws from Jeremy Wert put the Warriors in the lead at 31-30. Shots from Kurtis Robinson and Ronnie Stanley put the Lions back in the lead at 41-38 at the half.

Both teams jumped out in the second half scoring back-to-back baskets. The Lions rallied to increase their lead to 51-42 on a dunk by Emerson McClung. A layup from Jemiah Wimphrie and a 3-pointer from Tyus Gaines put the Warriors within nine. However, the Lions increased their lead to 69-54 on a three-point shot by Ronnie Stanley. Despite late free throws and a jump shot from Darius Sharpe, the Lions won 91-72.

What's Next

The Warriors will hit the road to take on the Limestone Saints on February 15 at 7:30 p.m. They will remain on the road to take on Belmont Abbey on February 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Emmanuel on February 21 at 7:30 p.m.