Babson Park, FL---The Emmanuel College Men's Basketball team ended 2011 on a high note winning both their games in the Webber International Holiday tournament over nationally-ranked opponents.

The Lions defeated Kentucky's (RV) Pikeville 72-62 before defeating Missouri's (14)Evangel 71-55 in the two games pushing the Lion's record to 9-5 on the season.

The Pikeville game saw the Lions down 32-28 at the half.  A dominating second half surge took the Lions to the victory.  Emmanuel dominated the foul line knocking down 74% of their free throws to seal the victory.  Asmatiek Fields lead the way with 21 points and 7 rebounds on the evening.

The Evangel game also found the Lions down at the half 30-28 but the hot-shooting Lions (hitting 69% from the foul line, 46% from 3-point range, and 50% from the floor) poured in 43 points in the second half to leave little doubt to the final score.  Luke Miller scored 15 points while Isaiah Tyus added 14 to pace the scoring.  Asmatiek Fields again lead the team in boards with 8.

The EC Lions are currently averaging scoring 73 points per game while collecting 39 rebounds a game.  The strength of the team, however, has been the suffocating defense which is allowing just 65 points per game...good enough for third in the SSAC just behind the stingy defense of Faulkner and Lee (averaging 64 points allowed per game).

The Lions return home to the Springs for a pair of important SSAC game this weekend hosting AUM on Friday, Jan 6 at 7:30 pm before hosting Mobile on Saturday, Jan 7 at 5:00 pm.  The Lions are 2-2 in SSAC play as they enter the 2012 dates.

See you at the games!