FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. (Dec. 17) – Redshirt sophomore
Lureon Walker produced a career-high 31 points on Tuesday afternoon, as the Trojans fell by a 100-88 margin at Emmanuel in Conference Carolinas play.
With the loss, the University of Mount Olive men's basketball team falls to 5-6 this season with a 3-3 mark in league action. The Trojans continue their road trip by traveling to Florida for the Bahama House Classic hosted by Embry-Riddle. Meanwhile, Emmanuel improves to 7-5 overall behind a perfect 6-0 record in conference play.
Walker registered a team-leading 31 points on 13-of-19 from the floor while converting four-of-six from the free-throw line in 32 minutes off the bench. Freshman
Chase Dawson finished with 19 points on 8-of-17 shooting in 32 minutes, while redshirt junior
Redford Dunton tallied 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, one block, and one steal in 21 minutes. Junior
Christopher Brown contributed nine points while freshman
Matt Kirby produced seven points and seven rebounds in 23 minutes.
In the first half, the Lions held an early 17-11 advantage after converting 6-of-11 shots in seven-plus minutes. Mount Olive countered with a 13-4 rally and made five-of-five from the field to take a 24-21 lead with 9:02 remaining. With UMO ahead 31-27 with 5:53 to go, Emmanuel stormed back in the game with a 14-4 run to regain a 41-35 edge before extending the lead to 48-39 at the break.
After exchanging baskets to begin the second half, UMO closed the gap by scoring eight of the next 10 points to trail 63-58 with 13:55 left. The Lions were able to reclaim their double-digit lead after going up 76-62 with nine-plus minutes remaining. The Trojans cut the deficit to 91-84 with 2:33 to go, but Emmanuel claimed the win at the free-throw line, 100-88.
Mount Olive finished the contest shooting 34-of-80 (42.6 percent) from the floor while converting 73.7 percent (14-of-19) from the free-throw line. Meanwhile, Emmanuel posted a .493 field goal percentage (33-of-67) and made 29-of-40 (72.5 percent) from the charity stripe. The Lions finished with a 42-35 rebounding advantage while scoring 54 points in the paint.
The Trojans totaled 55 bench points and 26 fastbreak points on Tuesday.
Emmanuel senior Kendall Latney delivered a career-high 34 points on 11-of-19 shooting while tallying 12 rebounds, six assists, one steal, and two blocks in 36 minutes. Redshirt junior Tavarus Webb registered 25 points, seven rebounds, three assists, and two steals in 33 minutes. Senior Elisee Ehuie contributed 17 points and nine rebounds in 37 minutes.
The Trojans will travel to Florida this weekend for the Bahama House Classic and face Embry-Riddle on Friday, Dec. 20, at 7 p.m.
