LEXINGTON, Va. -- Washington and Lee used a 10-2 run to take a 30-20 lead with 5:13 left in the first half and never trailed again in defeating Eastern Mennonite, 81-77, on Wednesday evening at the Warner Center.
W&L (4-3, 1-2) took a 40-31 lead into halftime and upped its advantage to as many as 12 points (72-60) with 3:31 remaining in the game. However, the Royals methodically chipped away at the lead, cutting it to just two points (72-70) with 29 seconds remaining in the game. With the Generals leading 80-75 and just seven seconds remaining, EMU junior guard Jared Lyons (Takoma Park, Md./St. Johns at Prospect Hall) was fouled on a three-point attempt. Lyons made the first two foul shots and missed the third, but the Royals claimed the offensive rebound with five seconds remaining and called a timeout to set up a play for the potential tying three-pointer. However, sophomore guard LeRoger Parrish (Danville, Va./Tunstall) turned the ball over on the inbound pass and W&L senior guard Chris Halkitis (New Port Richey, Fla./Ridgewood) hit 1-of-2 free throws with four seconds left to clinch the win.
The two teams were called for 57 total fouls and combined to shoot 70 free throws in the contest. The Generals were led by junior forward Greg Bienemann (Chatham, N.J./Chatham), who tallied 25 points and six rebounds before fouling out with 3:34 remaining in the game. Halkitis totaled a season-high 18 points, four assists and three steals, while junior forward Femi Kusimo (Cross Lanes, W.Va./Charleston Catholic) notched 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting from the floor.
Eastern Mennonite (4-3, 0-1) was paced by senior forward Jason Sager (Edinburg, Va./Central), who posted 25 points and seven rebounds. Lyons recorded 21 points, while junior forward Brad Parkes (Winchester, Va./James Wood) chipped in 10 points and seven boards.
Washington and Lee, which has already matched its win total from all of last season, will return to action on Dec. 29-30 as it hosts the W&L Tournament. The Generals will begin the tournament on Dec. 29 at 6:00 pm against the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Other teams in the tournament include Emory University and Hood College.
-- GENERALS --
