HARRISONBURG – The Roanoke College men's basketball team defeated Eastern Mennonite University, 88-87 in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference match up that concluded with a wild final minute.  The Maroons now have a record of 9-9, 3-7 in ODAC play, while the Royals are 10-9, 5-5 in ODAC competition.
 
The Maroons have won three of their last four ODAC matchups, winning over Emory & Henry, Washington and Lee and now, Eastern Mennonite.  Daniel Eacho led the Maroons with 24 points on the night, hitting 10 baskets from the field.  Eacho also tied Cameron Smith for a team high in rebounds with seven.  Julian Ramirez also netted 21 points, shooting 8-15 from the field.  He also finished with seven assists.  Ramirez leads the ODAC in assists with 98, averaging 5.4 per game.  He is currently tied for 12^th all-time at Roanoke with 232 assists, matching the record of Jared Butler '06.
 
The game stayed tight through the contest, with neither team leading by more than six.  With 1:16 to play in the contest, Andrew Daniels hit a very long three-point basket to give Roanoke a four point, 86-82 lead.  On the next drive down the floor, Eastern Mennonite's Marcel Crump hit a layup to bring the Royals back within two-points.  As the Maroons got the ball back on the next drive, a turnover put the ball back in EMU's hands.  Crump went up for a shot to tie the game, but was blocked by Cameron Smith.
 
With 15 seconds to play, Smith missed the front end of a one-and-one, allowing the Royals to get the ball back.  On the same drive, RJ Sims drained a three-pointer from the left wing to give the Royals an 87-86 lead.  Roanoke, not taking a timeout, pushed the ball down the lane with Daniels.  Daniels drew the defense and passed it to Fitchett who laid it up and in for the one point, 88-87 lead.  Eastern Mennonite tried a tricky inbounds play, but turned the ball over in the process.  The Maroons inbounded the ball and led the clock run out for the conference victory over Eastern Mennonite.
 
Daniels was the third Maroon in double figures for the night, scoring 13 points.  He also finished with three rebounds and four assists.  John Fitchett, who hit the game-winner, tallied eight points, also finishing with five rebounds. 
 
Roanoke outshot Eastern Mennonite in the game, 45.9 to 44.8 percent.  The Maroons also held the advantage from behind the three point line, 30.8 to 28.6 percent.  Roanoke outrebounded the Royals 42-39, as well as leading in assists 16-11. 
 
The Maroons return to action on Wednesday, February 5^th as they travel to Greensboro, NC.  That contest is scheduled for a 7:00 PM start.
 
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CAN'T MAKE IT TO THE GAME? WATCH IT ONLINE! 
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