Central, S.C. - Southern Wesleyan defeated the Emmanuel College Lions in a 95-82 final on Wednesday evening.

The Warriors shot 49.1% from the field in the win. Ta'Jay Dunlap led the way with 28 points and he was followed by Clenzo Ross with 13 points, Hunter Davis and Jalen Lowery with 12 points each, TJ Harvin with 11 points, and Cameron Holmes with 10. Of the 15 assists, Holmes led the team with four and Ross had two of the six steals. The team posted 37 rebounds with Harvin having seven. Solomon Smith and Tranard Ferrell followed with five rebounds each. Holmes had two blocks in the contest.

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 95, Emmanuel 82

Records: (12-9 / CC 8-5) Emmanuel (11-9 / CC 8-4)

Coach Pasqua Says...

"Very proud of our team tonight. We responded with our most complete game of the year so far. Hope we can continue to build on this type of effort."

How It Happened

The Lions jumped out with a 4-0 lead, but the Warriors would counter with a layup and 3-pointer from Ta'Jay Dunlap to take a 6-4 lead. TJ Harvin and Cameron Holmes would follow with shots that would extend their lead to 11-4. Southern Wesleyan would be settling into their best start of the season as they kept the pressure on the Lions. The Warriors would take a 22-11 lead as the Lions broke double digits on the scoreboard. Emmanuel would chip away at the Warriors lead as they pulled with six, but that would only fuel the Warriors for their run that would extend their lead to 37-25 after Hunter Davis knocked down a 3-pointer. The Lions would make a late 3-point shot, but Southern Wesleyan would hold onto a 41-33 lead at halftime. 

Smith would get the first point of the second half, going one-for-one with his attempt at the free throw line. The Lions would add on a few points, but Harvin would knock down another 3-pointer to increase their lead to 45-36. Southern Wesleyan would keep the pressure on the Lions as they extended into a 67-51 lead. The Warriors shot 77.5% from the free throw line and that would help them out later on in the contest. Within the last few minutes, Emmanuel had caught up to bring the Lions within eight points. Dunlap, Lowery, and Harvin took advantage of their trips to the free throw line as they each made a pair to allow the Warriors to go on to win the game 95-82. 

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will host the Limestone Saints on February 1 at 4 p.m. They will then travel to play the Emmanuel College Lions on February 5 at 7:30 p.m.