BANNER ELK, N.C. –
Malik McConnell and
Jaylin Stewart scored 24 and 21 points respectively, while
Drew Gardner and
Cale Harris also scored in double figures, but it was not enough as the Lees-McRae men's basketball fell short in a 98-89 loss to visiting Emmanuel in the Conference Carolinas action this evening.
THE BASICS
FINAL SCORE: Emmanuel (Ga.) – 98; Lees-McRae – 89
LOCATION: McNair & Debi Tornow Court – Banner Elk, North Carolina
RECORDS: Emmanuel (14-6/13-3), Lees-McRae (12-9/10-8)
HOW IT HAPPENED:
- McConnell shot 9 of 12 from the floor for a team-high 24 points to go along with six assists and four rebounds.
- Stewart went 9 of 16 from the floor for 21 points and five rebounds, while Gardner finished with 15 points, five rebounds, and three steals.
- Cale Harris added 10 points and six rebounds, while Sidney Dollar chipped in seven points and seven rebounds.
- Both teams traded runs early until a 12-0 run by the Lions extended the lead to 27-19 with 7:29 remaining in the first half.
- Lees-McRae reclaimed the lead a few plays later and used a late jumper by McConnell to claim a 41-38 halftime lead.
- Emmanuel opened the second half with a sizeable run to reclaim the lead and extended the lead to 54-45 with 14:49 remaining in the contest.
- Lees-McRae slowly chipped away at the lead and used a free throw from Harris to cut the deficit to 73-68 with 6:44 remaining.
- The Lions extended the lead back to double-digits a few moments later and held on for the conference win.
- Lees-McRae held a 48-30 edge in points in the painted area, but were outscored 42-18 on shots from behind the three-point line.
FOR THE FOES:
- K.J. Jones finished with a game-high 30 points on 12 of 13 from the charity stripe to pace the Lions.
- Five other Emmanuel players scored in double figures.
UP NEXT:
The Bobcats will travel to Emmanuel on Friday, Feb. 11 at 7 p.m. for another Conference Carolinas clash.
For more information on Lees-McRae Athletics, follow the Bobcats on Twitter (@LMCBobcats), on Facebook (Lees-McRae Athletics), and on Instagram (leesmcraeathletics).
