ROCKY MOUNT, NC (EMU Athletics) – The EMU Men’s Basketball team wrapped up their time in North Carolina on Sunday, taking on the Pride of Greensboro College at the Roger Taylor Invitational.

Despite being outscored by two in the second half, EMU’s nine point lead after the first half helped propel them to a 57-50 win over Greensboro.

Records: EMU 1-1, 0-0 ODAC | Greensboro 0-1, 0-0 USA South

First Half
Aaron Brooks got things started for EMU, hitting a layup and a three for the Royals first five points. After a Zach Bailey jumper, and a Greensboro free throw, Brooks made another basket for a 9-6 EMU lead. GC was able to take an 11-9 lead with a 5-0 run, but five straight points from Isaiah Carr put EMU back on top. Greensboro would pull within two at 15-13, but a 9-0 EMU run from Carr and Brooks, pushed the lead to 24-13. Over the next three minutes, the Pride would go on an 8-4 tilt and get within seven, before Jalen Jones hit a pair of free throws at the end of the half to send the teams to break with EMU leading 30-21.

Second Half
The second half started the way the first ended, with EMU, this time Carr, hitting a pair of free throws to extend EMU’s lead to 11. Later in the half, after Greensboro had cut the Royals lead back down to seven, EMU went on a 5-0 run, picking up two points from Brooks and a three from Gabriel Campbell. EMU would continue to lead by as many as nine but, GC went on a 5-0 run to pull within four, their smallest deficit since 7:33 of the first half. EMU answered right back with a three from Payton Lewis but the Pride followed that up with a three. With 3:28 left, GC pulled within four once again, but once again EMU nailed a big three, this time from Zach Bailey, to lead by seven once again. GC cut their deficit to three in the final 30 seconds, but Lewis and Carr hit their free throws to secure the win.

Statistical Leaders
Brooks: 21 points (career high), 2 rebounds, 2 assists
Carr: 14 points (tied career high), 5 rebounds, 3 assists
Campbell: 9 rebounds, 3 points

What’s Next
The Royals will be back in action next weekend as they make the short trek down 42 to Bridgewater College for the Carlyle Whitelow Invitational. They’ll take on Southern Virginia at 8 pm on Friday before finishing up with another meeting with Greensboro on Saturday at 4 pm.

— EMU Athletics —