Emmanuel Dominates Second Half to Defeat Brenau

Gainesville, Ga - Brenau (11-10, 3-7) and Emmanuel (13-10, 6-4) faced off in an important SSAC basketball game tonight and the Lions came back from an eight point halftime deficit to defeat the Tigers 65-54. Sophomore captain Gabby Harvey (Lilburn) had a double-double for Brenau with 11 rebounds and 10 points, also leading the team with five assists. Emmanuel's Ashley Jackson scored a game high 25 points and grabbed 13 rebounds.

Sophomore Nikki Reed (Atlanta) led the Tigers in scoring with 11, and doled out four assists, and Freshman Tatiana Khudiakova (Moscow, Russia) added 10. Brenau raced out to an 11-0 lead to start the game and maintained that advantage throughout the half, shooting .440 from the field, while holding Emmanuel to .269 to take a 26-18 lead into the locker room. The second half was a different story as the Lions shot .500 while holding the Tigers to .364. Emmanuel won the rebounding battle 35-29, but the big story in this one was a huge advantage at the free throw line. The Lions hit 26-39 from the stripe while Brenau only made 6-13.

"We played some of our best defense of the season in the first half," said Coach Gary Bays. "Unfortunately, we couldn't maintain it during the second half and Emmanuel came out with a lot more energy after halftime. We got into foul trouble midway through the half and that really hurt down the stretch."

It doesn't get any easier for the Tigers as they host #20 Southern Poly on Thursday with their backs to the wall in terms of making the conference tournament.