ATLANTA, Ga. --- Emory University's Jake Davis netted a game-high 25 points and the Eagles put three players in double figures as the Randolph College men's basketball team dropped its first-ever NCAA Tournament game Saturday, falling to EU 77-56 in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Division III Men's Basketball Tournament.
The WildCats finish the 2012-13 season with a 21-7 record, setting a program-record for wins in a season. Things started out very well for the WildCats Saturday, as they took an early 9-2 lead after just over four minutes of play as Colton Hunt (Whittier, NC/Smoky Mountain) connected on a three-ball with 15:56 left in the first half.
Following a media timeout, Emory put together an 11-1 run to take a three-point lead at 13-10 with 11:02 left in the first half. Randolph pulled to within one on a bucket by Lucas Smith (Cloverdale, VA/Lord Botetourt), and after the teams exchanged three-pointers, EU went on a 12-0 run to take a 13-point advantage.
Randolph trimmed the Eagles' lead down to 12 on a pair of throws from Hunt, but a late 5-0 spurt at the end of the half pushed the Emory lead to 17 going into the intermission. The Eagles came out of the break hot, putting together a 15-2 run, pulling away for the victory. With the win, Emory will take on the winner of the Whitworth (WA)/Redlands (CA) contest later this evening in the NCAA Second Round.
Hunt had team-bests of 14 points and nine rebounds in his final game in the black and yellow. Hunt finishes his Randolph career as the all-time leader in program history in points, as he closes his tenure at Randolph with 1,879 points. He is also second in College history in points, surpassed only by former women's great Tara Carelton and her 2,167 points.
No other WildCat had double figures, though Mike Ehilegbu (Raleigh, NC/Ravenscroft) had seven points and five rebounds, with Corey Brown (Williamsburg, VA/Walsingham) adding six points, four boards and five assists. Sophomore Mason Holle (Pasadena, CA/La Cañada) knocked down both of his triples for six points, and first-year guard Zach Walton (Timberville, VA/Broadway) posted six points.
The WildCats shot 37.3-percent from the floor on the afternoon, connecting on 22-of-59 field goal attempts. Turnovers were a problem for the WildCats, as they committed 19 giveaways leading to 19 points for Emory.
Davis was 9-of-19 from the floor to pace the Eagles (20-6), as he added four boards and five steals. Michael Florin had 10 points, seven assists and three steals, and Michael Friedberg finished with 10 points, three blocks and two steals. Emory was 29-of-64 (45.3 percent) from the field, making 14-of-18 (77.8 percent) from the free throw line. The host Eagles also won the rebounding battle, 42-35.
The WildCats are set to return 11 letter winners next season, including three starters off this historic team. Randolph posted the most conference wins in program history with 11, earned its first ever national ranking as well as its first regional ranking.
--- This release is courtesy of the Randolph College sports information department. ---
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