EMORY, Va. – Paul Russo was a happy coach early Wednesday night.
With creativity on offense and hustle on defense, Russo’s Emory & Henry Wasps opened an 11-point lead against the No. 22 ranked team in NCAA Division III midway through the first half.
One hour later, Russo was lamenting a 101-86 loss to ODAC rival Roanoke College.
“It was like night and day between the first and second half,” Russo said. “We just didn’t have the same intensity. It’s real disappointing.”
Roanoke (11-2, 3-0) relied on its height advantage, depth and the foul trouble of E&H to gradually pull away after grabbing a 42-41 lead at the 18:05 mark of the second half.
The Wasps, which converted just 12 of 22 free throw attempts and 8 of 26 3-points shots, lost two players to fouls and seemed to tire late in the game.
“Roanoke has a lot of good players,” Russo said. “Their depth really hurt us.”
Curtis Peery, a versatile six-foot-six senior post from Salem, delivered a career-best 24 points and 11 rebounds for Roanoke. Six-foot-one sophomore Parrish Walker used his quickness to score 26 points for Roanoke, which shot a torrid 81 percent from the field in the second half .
“I felt like we lost something on defense,” Russo said. “When we’ve had success this year, it’s started with our defense. I think our guys got a little bit too comfortable, and it hurt us.”
Emory & Henry (7-6, 1-3) was led in scoring by 6-4 senior guard Josh Lee (20 points), smooth 6-5 sophomore guard Terrance Grigg (16 points) and 215-pound senior post Kyle Huckins with 12 points.
Veteran coach Page Moir was impressed with E&H, which entered the night leading the ODAC in scoring with 89 points per game.
“I’m really glad we caught Emory early in the conference schedule,” Moir said. “Coach Russo has his squad doing some really good things. He’s got some talented guys that play hard.
“As Emory adjusts to some of the changes in their [playing] style, they are going to be tough. This is a nice escape for us.”
While the Wasps are still scoring in bunches, Russo is stressing a more controlled, defensive-oriented style.
Moir has been delighted with the emergence of his team. The Maroons were picked for fifth in the ODAC preseason coaches’ poll.
“I thought we would be good, but 11-1 is kind of a stretch,” Moir said.
Russo hopes his team can put together a more complete effort Saturday afternoon against traditional ODAC power Hampden-Sydney. Game time is 2 p.m. at the King Center.
“This one is tough to swallow,” Russo said. “We had too many wasted opportunities, and just let our poor offense get to our defense.”
ROANOKE COLLEGE (101) – Chittock 6, Peery 24, Walker 26, Gaeng 7, Felix 7, Poindexter 6, Singleton 16, Milton 6, Crizer 2, Sheppard 1. Totals 35-55 26-34 101.
EMORY & HENRY (86) – Huckins 12, Grigg 16, Dyson 9, Hudson 3, Christian 2, Weinz 7, Lee 20, Brown 7, Hart 7, Cunningham 3. Totals 33-73 12-22 86.
Halftime-RC 38-36. 3-point goals-RC 5-11 (Gaeng, Poindexter 2, Singleton, Milton), E&H 8-26 (Hudson, Weinz 2, Lee 3, Hart, Cunningham). Rebounds-RC 39 (Perry 11), E&H 29 (Lee 6). Assists-RC 17 (Walker 5), E&H 15 (Christian, Stafford 4). Total fouls-RC 21, E&H 25. Fouled out-Huckins, Christian). Att.-202.
agregory@bristolnews.com (276) 645-2544
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