Men’s b-ball wins McDaniel College BB&T preseason tournament, loses two at home

Photo by Josiah Garber

Freshman JoMorrae Gordon has averaged 5.8 points in 18 minutes of play through four games this year.

Despite back-to-back losses, the EMU men’s basketball team is one win shy of their 2002-2003 total.

The Royals breezed to a 97-70 victory Nov. 21 against Valley Forge Christian College, then won an 85-83 thriller the next day against host McDaniel College in the final of the BB&T McDaniel College Tip-Off Classic.

Sophomore Jason Sager was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player. He led the Royals with 24 points and 10 rebounds versus Valley Forge Christian College and had 10 points and 11 rebounds in the championship game. Five EMU players scored in double figures in that game. Freshmen JoMorrae Gordon and Chris Ropp scored 12 and 11 points respectively. McDaniel College’s Sam Anstead led all scorers with 21 points.

In the season opener E.J. Arrington was 9-12 from the floor and finished with 19 points, 7 rebounds and 3 steals. Senior Mike Culen averaged 15.5 points per game and was selected to the All-Tournament team.

Two home losses marred a quick start to the season, though. Shenandoah University defeated the Royals 92-82 before a crowd of over 700 in the University Commons. Culen led EMU with 23, including a long three that brought the Royals to within four with under two minutes to play. Freshman center Jason Lentz put up eight points, nine rebounds, five blocks and four steals.

The Virginia Wesleyan College Marlins brought an undefeated record and number three preseason ODAC ranking with them to Harrisonburg. Nothing changed Tuesday night. EMU started slowly and never recovered as VWC washed over the Royals 109-71. Jason Sager scored 16 points to lead the Royals, and Lentz added 14 points and 10 rebounds.

The Royals play Bridgewater College Saturday in an ODAC game. They return to action Dec. 13 at Virginia Military Institute and travel to Rabdolph-Macon Collegeon the 15th.