Skip To Main Content
Skip To Main Content

UNCP Athletics

scoreboard

Jonathan Kurtas 020726
80
Winner UNC Pembroke UNCP 15-6,12-1 Conference Carolinas
77
Emmanuel (GA) Emm 11-12,8-7 Conference Carolinas
Winner
UNC Pembroke UNCP
15-6,12-1 Conference Carolinas
80
Final
77
Emmanuel (GA) Emm
11-12,8-7 Conference Carolinas
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
UNC Pembroke UNCP 34 46 80
Emmanuel (GA) Emm 31 46 77

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | By Morgan Sheehan, Assistant Athletic Communications Director

Men's Basketball Holds Off Late Push From Emmanuel

FRANKLIN SPRINGS, Ga. – The UNC Pembroke men's basketball team shot 59.0 percent from the field in the second half and scored 42 points inside the paint on the way to an 80-77 victory over Emmanuel on Saturday afternoon inside the Shaw Athletic Center. 

The victory for the Braves (15-6, 12-1 CC) marked the ninth consecutive victory, and marked the first victory for UNCP over Emmanuel when playing in Franklin Springs, Ga. The setback for the Lions (11-12, 8-7 CC) snapped a four game streak and marked their first loss at home since Jan. 10. 
 
THE BASICS
SCORE: UNC Pembroke 80, Emmanuel 77
RECORDS: UNC Pembroke 15-6, 12-1 CC, Emmanuel 11-12, 8-7 CC
LOCATION: Franklin Springs, Ga. (Shaw Athletic Center)
HOW IT HAPPENED
1ST HALF
Jonathan Kurtas opened scoring with a dunk, setting the tone for a competitive half. Moe Bangura contributed significantly in the paint, scoring multiple layups. Sean Burress Jr. provided a crucial boost with fastbreak layups at the 9:11 and 8:22 marks, pushing the Braves ahead 23-17. Emmanuel's Devin Story kept the game tight, making several key baskets, but UNC Pembroke's Nygell Verdier sealed the half with a layup in the final minute as the teams headed to the locker rooms with UNCP leading 34-32. 
2ND HALF
Jonathan Kurtas scored six points early in the second half pushing the UNCP lead out to 43-38 four minutes into the half. The Braves went on a 13-4 surge to extend their lead out to 63-53 after a layup from Jonathan Kurtas at the 7:26 mark. Emmanuel made key free throws down the stretch, including a pair from Devin Story with 25 seconds remaining in regulation to cut the hosts deficit back to 76-74. Emmanuel trailed by three points with nine seconds remaining, but a blocked three-pointer by Nygell Verdier sealed the victory for UNCP. 
INSIDE THE BOX SCORE
+ Moe Bangura went 8-for-10 from the field to turn in a team-best 20 points in 26 minutes of action. The senior pulled down seven rebounds and finished 4-for-7 from the free throw line. 
+ Sean Burress, Jr. matched a career-high with 18 points highlighted by and 8-for-10 showing from the free throw line. The newcomer grabbed five defensive rebounds, had three assists and one block in 37 minutes of work. 
+ Jonathan Kurtas added 15 points on a perfect 5-for-5 clip from the field. Kurtas added five rebounds two blocks and one assist.
NOTABLES
+ UNC Pembroke shot 51.0 percent from the field while Emmanuel shot 42.9 percent from the floor. UNCP shot 59.0 percent from the field during the second half. 
+ The Black & Gold posted a 36-16 advantage in rebounds and scored 18 points from 10 offensive rebounds.
+ The Braves outscored the Lions 42-24 with points in the paint. 
+ Emmanuel went 27-for-34 from the free throw line, while UNC Pembroke finished Saturday's contest going 24-for-33 from the charity stripe. 
UP NEXT
The Braves will trek to Virginia on Wednesday to battle Ferrum. Tipoff is slated for 7 p.m. inside Swartz Gymnasium. 
STAY CONNECTED
Follow UNCP Men's Basketball on Twitter and Instagram and "Like" UNCP Men's Basketball on Facebook.
BACK THE BRAVES
Fans can help support the UNC Pembroke Men's Basketball program by joining the Braves Club. To find out more information about the Braves Club, visit UNCPBraves.com/BravesClub or email braves.club@uncp.edu.
Print Friendly Version