Box Score HARRISONBURG, Va. -- The Virginia Wesleyan men's basketball team defeated the Royals of Eastern Mennonite University 71-54 on Wednesday evening at Yoder Arena in Harrisonburg, VA. Leading the charge for the Marlins was Omari DeVeaux with 19 points and eight rebounds, while Anthony Jackson was close behind with 14 points converting four three-point baskets.

INSIDE THE SCORE
Result: Virginia Wesleyan 71 - Eastern Mennonite 54
Records: Virginia Wesleyan 12-3, 4-3 | Eastern Mennonite 5-10, 1-6
Location: Yoder Arena | Harrisonburg, VA

HOW IT HAPPENED
The Marlins got on the scoreboard first however the Royals went on a 10-0 run to claim an eight-point lead by the 16-minute mark. Virginia Wesleyan used a 16-7 run over the next nine minutes to climb back and take a one-point lead, 18-17 with 7:19 on the clock. Eastern Mennonite took a one-point lead before VWU reclaimed the lead, 20-19, on a jumper by Jordan Crump. Omari DeVeaux and Khai Seargeant both scored a trio of points to give the Marlins a seven-point lead, 26-19, at the 4:36 mark. EMU fought back to take a one-point lead, 27-26, with 1:44 remaining in the half, but six consecutive points gave the Marlins a five-point lead, 32-27, with 31 seconds before halftime. The Royals got the last word in so to speak scoring an old-fashioned three-point play on a layup and free throw to put the score at 32-30 at the buzzer. 

The Royals came out in the second half scoring five points to hold a one-point advantage at 18:30. The Marlins answered with a 12-0 run to take an 11-point lead as the clock ticked under 12 minutes remaining as Amarion Wilson scored on a dunk and free throw put the score at 46-35. EMU scored about a minute later to pull within nine points, the closest they came, as VWU turned on the burners and went on a 25-17 run to close out the contest winning by 17 points, 71-54, and snapping a two-game losing skid. 

KEY STATS
The Marlins were led by Omari DeVeaux with 19 points and eight rebounds. Anthony Jackson was the next highest-scoring Marlin with 14 points converting four three-point baskets. Amari Moorer and Amarion Wilson added 12 and 11 points respectively. Wilson and Khai Seargeant both collected six rebounds. 

UP NEXT
Virginia Wesleyan hits the court again on Saturday, January 14, when they return to TowneBank Arena in Virginia Beach, VA, to host the Generals of Washington & Lee University. Tip-off time is set for 4:30 PM following the conclusion of the women's game at 2 PM.