In a clash of South region basketball heavyweights, senior Michael Friedberg and junior McPherson Moore accounted for 13 of Emory's 17 points in overtime to spark the Eagles men's to an intense 91-82 victory over No.1-ranked Virginia Wesleyan. The Eagles posted their fourth straight triumph and raised their overall record to 8-2 following a 91-82 triumph over the Marlins who slipped to 7-3.
Emory ended the contest shooting 50.8 percent (33-of-65) from the floor compared to VWC's mark of 41.7 percent (30-of-72). Though Virginia Wesleyan knocked down 10 three-point field goals to the Eagles' six treys and finished with a 40-37 edge in rebounding, Emory countered with excellent free throw shooting, converting 82.6 percent from the stripe (19-of-23) as well as coming up with numerous key plays throughout the contest.
Friedberg ended the game with 18 points (13 coming in the second half and overtime), sinking six-of-13 field goal tries and six-of-seven from the charity stripe, en route to his eighth double-figure scoring effort of the campaign. Friedberg also came through with his second double-double of the year after pulling down a game-high 12 rebounds and was a formidable defensive presence with five blocked shots. Moore also turned in an 18-point effort, successful on five-of-seven from the floor along with a seven-for-seven performance at the foul line, running his streak to 21 consecutive makes from the stripe. Junior Jake Davis topped the Emory scoring attack with 20 points, knocking down eight of his 13 field goal attempts and chipping in three free throws. Rounding out the team's double-figure scorers were senior Alex Greven and sophomore Michael Florin with 15 and 12 points, respectively
Behind 13 points from Davis, the Eagles built a 36-31 lead at halftime and stretched that advantage to eight points on a pair of occasions early in the second stanza, the latest being a 44-36 edge with 15:48 remaining. However, the top-ranked Virginia Wesleyan squad responded with a 12-2 charge, capped by a three pointer by DJ Woodmore to claim a two-point advantage with 13:18 left. Another trey by Woodmore gave VWC a 51-49 lead, but the Eagles responded with six straight points, four by Davis, to put them ahead by a 55-51 count. Still holding a slim one-point lead, Emory scored 13 of the game's next 19 points, capped by Moore producing back-to-back baskets, to stake itself to a 68-60 cushion with 5:28 on the clock. After the teams exchange free throws, the Marlins came through with an 11-2 sprint, capped by a basket by Woodmore, to take a 72-70 lead with 1:13 remaining. After Friedberg knotted the score with 39 ticks left, Woodmore, who tallied a game-high 24 points, put the visitors ahead by a pair with a jumper. Heading into the waning moments of the game, McPherson drove the lane and hit a layup with four seconds that tied the game at 74-74. A final shot attempt by the Marlins with one second left missed its mark forcing five more minutes of basketball.
Emory never trailed in the extra period and saw Friedberg score the team's first six points in helping the Eagles to an 80-76 lead with 2:59 remaining. After a bucket by the Marlins' Chris Teasley, Emory scored seven consecutive points, the last two on a bucket by Moore, extending its margin to 87-78 with 48 seconds left on the clock. VWC came back with a three-point play with 40 seconds remaining but four straight conversions by Moore at the foul line sealed the game for Emory.