Nist and Osei Lead Men's Basketball to a Victory in the Spruell Classic

Sophomore Nick Nist and freshman Sean Osei combined for 42 points to lead the Emory Oxford men's basketball team to a victory over the Wolverines of New Rock Prep Academy. With the 79-69 win, the Eagles improve to 11-11. 

Nist scored 22 points on 7-of-19 shooting while going 8-of-10 from the charity stripe. He also grabbed eight rebounds and had a team-high three steals. Osei had his second-straight 20 point game to go along with five boards and a team-high four assists. Freshman Nick Hardin led the Eagles with ten rebounds. 

At the beginning of the first half, the game was back-and-forth until the Eagles used a 14-4 run to gain a nine-point advantage. The Eagles would keep this lead until the Wolverines used a run of their own. With the score 33-20, New Rock closed out the half with a 13-1 run to only be down by a point at the break. However, in the second half, the Eagles would rebuild their lead, going up as high as 16 at one point. 

Emory Oxford held a considerable advantage from the free-throw line shooting 24-of-32 (75.0%), while the Wolverines only shot 6-of-9 (66.7%). 

This game was marked as the 10th-annual Dennis Spruell Classic game, which Oxford now has an impressive 17-1 win-loss record in. The Dennis Spruell Classic was started in 2012 to honor Dennis Spruell for his contribution to Oxford College and the Oxford College Athletic Program. Mr. Spruell was first and foremost a man that loved his family. His son, Andy, was a member of the Oxford Basketball program from 2003-2005 and is currently the assistant director of facilities and operations within the Center for Healthful Living. Mr. Spruell established the Oxford Basketball Booster Club and was a devoted fan. He and his wife would assist in any manner necessary, from running the concession stands, to the Voice of the Eagles, to playing Santa Clause at many of the Kid's Night Out programs.  

Up next, the Eagles will take on Carolina Basketball Academy on Thursday (Feb. 10) at 7:00 PM. As a reminder, fans will now be allowed back in Williams Gym with the requirement that they wear masks regardless of vaccination status. They will also honor the 2021 Women's Tennis National Championship Team with a ring ceremony and banner reveal at halftime.