Men’s Basketball Defeated By Cougars in Conference Opener

Men’s Basketball Defeated By Cougars in Conference Opener
November 20, 2021
Box Score

Sanford, NC - In their first conference game of the year against Central Carolina Community College, the Emory Oxford Men's Basketball team were defeated 92-76. The Eagles dropped to 5-3, while the Cougars improved to 5-4. 

The Eagles had three players in double figures and were led by sophomore Dante Conley-Leonardi, who scored a season-high 23 points, twenty-one coming in the second half. He also led the Eagles with six rebounds and two blocks. Classmate Nick Nist scored 18 points to go along with five rebounds and freshman Sean Osei had 17 points with four made three-pointers. Freshman KJ Walker has a team-high five assists. 

In the opening half, the Eagles were held to 25.0% (7-of-28) from the field, while the Cougars shot 51.6% (16-of-31). The Eagles went into the break down 38-25. In the second half, the Eagles shot better, shooting 60.6% (22-of-33), including 63.6% (7-of-11) from behind the arc. This helped the Eagles come back into the game.

With the Cougars leading 46-37, Emory Oxford went on a 5-2 run to cut the lead to six. After a timeout, a basket plus a free throw by Conley-Leonardi brought the Eagles within three points. After a defensive stop, a layup by Nist had them only down by one. On the next possession, a steal by Walker led to another easy basket and the Eagles were ahead 49-48. This was the only time in the game that they were in front.

After Emory Oxford took the lead, the Cougars went on an 11-0 run to regain it at 59-49. They kept this lead for the rest of the game. 

"We played a tough team in Central Carolina," said Coach Roderick Stubbs. "We were able to make it a close game early in the second half, but their players made some plays to bring them back up. I am proud of how our players continued to compete until the end."

The Eagles will have some time off for Thanksgiving break and will not play again until Tuesday, December 30th, against Oglethorpe University JV. The game will tip-off at 7:00 pm and will be their annual white-out night.