FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. –
Jaylin Stewart posted a new career-high with 29 points and a game-high four steals, while
Malik McConnell added 12 points, three rebounds, two assists, and two steals, but it was not enough as host Emmanuel held the visiting Bobcats to under 47 percent shooting from the field and 23 percent shooting from distance en route to an 86-78 win in the Conference Carolinas action.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Emmanuel (Ga.) – 86; Lees-McRae – 78
LOCATION: Shaw Athletic Center – Franklin Springs, Georgia
RECORDS: Emmanuel (Ga.) (15-6/14-3), Lees-McRae (12-10/10-9)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- Stewart shot 11 of 17 from the field and 6 of 6 from the charity stripe to pace the Bobcats in scoring, while McConnell was 6 of 8 from the free throw line.
- Brian Sims Jr. and Drew Redmond finished with a season-high seven and six points respectively.
- Both teams traded runs early in the first half with the Bobcats trimming the deficit to 21-17 on a fastbreak layup by Carter Phillips with just over eight minutes left in the frame.
- After the Lions pushed the lead back to double-digits a few plays later, Lees-McRae rallied and used a late layup by Drew Gardner to cut the lead to 39-32 at halftime.
- Emmanuel held the momentum in the early minutes of the second half and pushed the lead back to 70-49 on a three-point field goal with 8:35 remaining in the contest.
- The Bobcats rallied late to cut the lead down to 82-73 on a layup by Redmond, but the Lions held on for the conference victory.
- Lees-McRae held a 51-29 edge in bench production and outscored the hosts 44-28 in points in the painted area.
- Emmanuel outscored the Bobcats 30-9 in shots from distance and held a 33-27 edge in rebounding.
FOR THE FOES:
- Four Lions scored in double figures, led by K.J. Jones with a team-high 16 points to go along with six rebounds and five steals.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will close out the conference weekend tomorrow as they visit Erskine at 4 p.m.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
