Emmanuel Advances, UNC Pembroke Falls in Heartbreaker in NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship
DAHLONEGA, Ga. - Emmanuel men's basketball advanced in the 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship, while UNC Pembroke closed its season in heartbreaking fashion in overtime.
To learn more about the NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship Southeast Regional hosted by North Georgia, please visit
here.
#7 Emmanuel 70, #2 USC Aiken 69
A Kendall Latney layup with 12 seconds remaining and a 15-6 run to close the game helped seventh-seeded Emmanuel knock off second-seeded USC Aiken, 70-69, in the opening round of the 2024 NCAA Division II Men's Basketball Championship.
After two made free throws gave USC Aiken the lead with 25 seconds remaining, Emmanuel worked the ball around into a good look in the paint with KJ Jones II finding Latney for the go-ahead layup. USC Aiken had a couple of chances on its next offensive possession, but Emmanuel was able to hold them without a basket to collect the thrilling victory.
USC Aiken led Emmanuel 63-55 with 4:38 remaining in the contest, but Emmanuel from there went on the game-winning 15-6 run to advance to face sixth-seeded Lander in the NCAA Division II Southeast Regional semifinals at 5 p.m. on Sunday at the UNG Convocation Center.
The Southeast Region Player of the Year, Jones led a trio of Lions in double figures with 19 points. He also helped facilitate the Emmanuel offense with five assists, which tied for the team and game lead with Tavarus Webb. In addition to his five assists, Webb also had 11 points. The final Lion in double figures was Chris Dees with 13 points.
Jalen McCoy came off the bench to lead the Pacers with 26 points. He was a perfect 9-for-9 from the field.
Lander knocked off third-seeded Lincoln Memorial, 85-76, to earn the right to take on the Lions in the regional semifinals.
#4 Catawba 98, #5 UNC Pembroke 94
UNC Pembroke dropped a heartbreaker to Catawba, 98-94, in overtime.
The Braves owned a 35-30 advantage at the halftime break and led by as many as 12 points at 75-63 with 3:15 to play in regulation. Catawba would battle back over the final minutes of the second half to force overtime with the game tied at 83-all.
UNC Pembroke led by four at 93-89 with just over a minute to play in the extra frame, but a 9-1 run over the last 1:11 to close the game for Catawba allowed them to take the four-point win.
Nygell Verdier collected a double-double in the game for UNC Pembroke. He had 19 points and 10 rebounds in the game. He was one of three Braves in double figures with JaJuan Carr finishing with 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists and Bradlee Haskell collecting 10 points and six assists. Javeon Jones was the top scorer in the game with 25 points for Catawba.