Central, SC – Southern Wesleyan took down the Emmanuel Lions on Wednesday evening in a 90-81 final score.
The Warriors shot 44.8% from the field and were 37.5% from beyond the arc. Four Warriors posted double-digits in the game with both Jaquay Randolph and Will Little leading the team with 23 points apiece. Bobby Taylor totaled 15 points and Malachi Cooper was the final Warrior in double-digits with 10 points. Of the 14 assists, Randolph picked up four.
Southern Wesleyan pulled down 43 total rebounds. Randolph picked up his tenth double-double game of the season as he had 19 boards in the victory. Both Will Little and Josh Parker had six rebounds to their names. Randolph went on to have three of the six blocks. Jamarras McCray, Malachi Cooper and Valdy Zephir also had blocks. The Warriors stole the ball away from the Lions seven times.
Game Vitals
Final: Southern Wesleyan 90, Emmanuel 81
Records: Southern Wesleyan (3-9 / CC 2-5) Emmanuel (7-9 / CC 4-4)
How It Happened
The Lions attacked quickly as Sam Thacker and Devin Story got up back-to-back three pointers. Jamarras McCray sent the ball out beyond the arc to Bobby Taylor. Taylor got the ball up for a three pointer to put the Warriors on the board. The Lions would not back down as Isaac Jones knocked down a three of his own. With just under fifteen on the clock, McCray put up a three pointer, but once again Emmanuel answered as Story put up another three. Jaquay Randolph laid the ball up and then Josh Parker hit a three pointer to put the Warriors within four. Brady Peery drove to the basket and laid the ball up. The Warriors fought on as they came to within one point of the Lions after a couple layups by Randolph. With four minutes on the clock, Bobby Taylor knocked down a couple three pointers to allow the Warriors to take the lead. The Lions challenged, but Taylor hit his fourth three of the evening to give Southern Wesleyan a 39-36 point lead going into halftime.
Southern Wesleyan kicked off the second half as Jaquay Randolph got the ball into the basket seconds into the half. Emmanuel answered as Rett Van De Mark laid the ball up to put them back within three, but it was short lived as Bobby Taylor sent the ball out beyond the arc to Will Little who hit a three pointer. Little pressed on as he hit a couple more three pointers to extend Southern Wesleyan's lead to ten. Malachi Cooper stole the ball away from the Lions' Sam Thacker and sent the ball down the court to Little who laid it up into the basket. Devin Story went coast-to-coast for a layup. With just under thirteen on the clock, Josh Parker got the ball out to Malachi Cooper. Cooper took a step back and hit a three pointer to extend the Warriors lead to 61-47. Southern Wesleyan would not back down as a layup by Cooper put the Warriors ahead by twenty. Massio Moretti hit a couple of three pointers. Jaquay Randolph sent the ball down the court to Valdy Zephir who slammed it into the basket. The Lions fought back as Devin Story got up a couple more shots, but Randolph answered as he tipped the ball into the basket for the Warriors. Southern Wesleyan persevered as they walked away with a 90-81 point victory over the Lions.
What's Next
The Warriors will remain at home tomorrow as they welcome the Bob Jones Bruins to Central, SC for a non-conference game at 7pm. They will resume Conference Carolinas action on January 10 as they host the King Tornado. On Monday, January 12, the Warriors will take on Mid-Atlantic Christian at 6pm. Southern Wesleyan will travel to Ferrum, VA on January 17 to take on the Ferrum Panthers.
