Oxford, GA - After two weeks off, the Emory Oxford men's basketball team returned to action in back-to-back conference games against the Cougars of Central Carolina Community College. The Eagles dropped both games, losing the first 78-58 and the second 83-74. The Eagles now have a 5-5 record, including 0-3 in conference play, while the Cougars improve to 8-5 and 3-0 in the conference.
Emory Oxford did not shoot well in game one and was held to 28.8% (19-of-66) from the field. Central Carolina had the advantage in the paint, outscoring the Eagles 42 to 20 while also shooting a high percentage from the field. Freshman KJ Walker led the Eagles with 13 points and went 3-of-6 from behind the arc. Classmate Sean Osei grabbed a team-high nine rebounds and sophomore Kabir Bergin dished out four assists to lead the Eagles in this category.
Early in the first half, the game was close with both teams exchanging baskets. However, with the score tied 6-6, the Cougars went on a 21-6 run to gain a fifteen-point advantage. Emory Oxford answered with a 9-0 run to cut the deficit down. They went into the break only down by nine.
In the second half, Emory Oxford's shooting struggles continued. The Cougars increased their lead to 13 early on, but the Eagles fought back to cut into it. With 10:50 to go in regulation, a three-pointer by Walker brought Emory Oxford within six points. However, this would be the only three they hit in the second half, as they shot 1-of-13 during this period. After cutting the deficit to six, the Eagles could not find a way to string a run together to tie or gain the lead. The Eagles eventually fell 78-58.
The Eagles shot the ball better in the second game, making 38.7% (24-of-62). However, they allowed the Cougars to shoot at another high rate from the field, including 50.0% (9-of-18) from three.
In the first half, the game was back and forth until Central Carolina made a run to gain the lead. Once they gained this lead, they kept it for the entire game. The Eagles were down by eleven going into the break.
In the second half, the Eagles managed to shoot the ball better than game one but could not string together multiple defensive stops to cut into the deficit. Emory Oxford got as close as four points to tying the lead but could never do so. The Eagles ended up losing 83-74.
In this game, the Eagles had three players in double figures led by sophomore Dante Conley-Leonardi, who scored 17 points to go along with five rebounds. Freshman Isaac Snyder had 16 points and grabbed a team-high seven rebounds. Bergin was perfect from the field, shooting 5-of-5, including 2-of-2 from three to score 14 points. Walker and sophomore JT Laws each dished out five assists to lead the Eagles in this category.
"We played a very tough team in Central Carolina," said Coach Roderick Stubbs. "Their players made some big plays when they needed to. But we will continue to get better and make adjustments where needed."
The Eagles will return to action on Tuesday, December 7th, against Southern Crescent Technical College. This will be the last game before the winter break and tipoff is set for 7:00 pm.