Franklin Springs, G.A. - Southern Wesleyan defeated the Emmanuel College Lions in a 90-65 final on Wednesday evening.

The Warriors went 28-51 from the field, shooting 54.9% in the win. Clenzo Ross led the team with 27 points and he was followed by Tranard Ferrell and Solomon Smith with 18 points apiece. Cameron Holmes produced six of the 14 assists. As a team, 48 rebounds were collected with Holmes boasting 10 of them. Ross followed with nine and Ferrell with seven. Jalen Lowery came up with two of the six steals and Smith led the team with three blocks as the team put together six total. 

Game Vitals

Final: Southern Wesleyan 90, Emmanuel 65

Records: Southern Wesleyan (14-9 / CC 10-5) Emmanuel (13-10 / CC 10-5)

Coach Pasqua Says...

"Very proud of our entire team tonight! Had contributions from everyone."

How It Happened

The Lions struck first in the contest but Clenzo Ross would counter for the Warriors with a jump shot to put Southern Wesleyan on the board. Both teams started off slow as the Warriors took a 6-5 lead after shedding five minutes off the game clock. Emmanuel pulled within one on a 3-pointer from Tyonn Stuckey, but Tranard Ferrell reponded with a 3-point shot of his own to extend the Warriors lead to 15-11. The Warriors would put together a 10 point lead as they maintained the momentum in the contest. Although the Lions threatened that lead, Southern Wesleyan would lead 31-27 at the half.

Ross would make the first basket of the second half that would lead the Warriors to two more baskets before the Lions would score their first of the half. Kelvin Jones of Emmanuel would put the Lions within four, but Solomon Smith would come up big for the Warriors with a 3-pointer to extend their lead to 42-35. The Lions remained on the heels of the Warriors, but after Ferrell's next 3-pointer, Southern Wesleyan began building a more comfortable lead. A pair of free throws from Ta'Jay Dunlap would put the Warriors ahead by 20 points at 73-53. Emmanuel was unable to disrupt the Warriors momentum as they would go on to win the game, 90-65. 

What's Next

Southern Wesleyan will remain on the road as they travel to Banner Elk, N.C. to take on the Lees-McRae Bobcats on February 12 at 7:30 p.m. They will return home on February 15 to host the Belmont Abbey Crusaders at 4 p.m.