I'd like to start by saying what a pleasure it was to watch the first half of this game. Only one timeout was called (!) and it came with 5:15 to go until halftime. I've watched thousands and thousands of college basketball games, and despite obviously not being able to remember every one of them, can comfortably say I've never (1) watched an entire half where just one timeout was called, and (2) watched a half where the first one was called with less than six minutes to go.
Of course, Covenant, which fell 80-73, called all six of its timeouts in the second half (Emory stopped play twice).
Emory held on for the win thanks in large part to completely shutting down Patjo Twagirayezu. The senior forward made just one basket at the 11:44 mark of the second half and scored three points - 18 below his average. He was a clear focal point for the Emory defense, which did allow shooters to knock down threes - sophomore guard James Mitchell was 6-for-9 from behind the arc, while senior Berto Dryden hit three - but Twagiravezu being a non-factor was a big reason Emory won for the eighth time in nine all-time meetings between the schools.
Really nice all-around game for Christopher Avant. The senior post player came in averaging a little less than seven rebounds, but grabbed 17 Wednesday to go along with 12 points (one of five in double figures) and five steals.
Emory (5-2) recently fell out of the d3hoops.com Division III top 25 after a loss at Hampden-Sydney last weekend.
No comments:
Post a Comment