To say that it’s been a tough start to the season for first year head coach Jerald Brown’s team would be an understatement.
In three of its first four games, Emmaus has found themselves in a position late in the fourth quarter, and even in overtime, with possession of the ball and an opportunity to come out on the winning side.
Unfortunately, the ending has been just the opposite.
Such was the case last night at home against Nazareth.
Trailing the Blue Eagles in a one possession game late in the fourth quarter, the Hornets were unable to rally as the visitors were able to escape ‘The Hive’ with a one-point victory, 52-51.
Down 50-48 with just 24.5 seconds left in regulation, Emmaus had a costly turnover, and it gave Nazareth possession where they were able to make two key free throws to ice the victory.
Senior Jack Csensits hit a 3-pointer as time expired, but the Hornets once again came up on the short end of the scoreboard.
The loss keeps Emmaus winless on the season as they drop to 0-4 overall and 0-2 in the EPC. Three of the team’s four defeats have come by a combined four points.
Csensits led all scorers with a game-high 19 points, while classmate Matt Deschenes added a career-high 11 points off the bench.
Nazareth (2-2) was led in scoring by junior Blake Nagurney and freshman Mason Marinelli who each scored 14 points. Junior Logan Hahn also finished in double figures with 11, while classmate Gavin Kershner added eight. The Blue Eagles had nine 3-pointers in the game.
Emmaus will look to pick up its first win tonight at 7 p.m. as they travel to Freedom for a non-league game. The Patriots are 2-2 on the season coming off a 49-38 loss to Parkland last night.
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Nazareth 52, Emmaus 51
Naz – Alex Rodriguez 0, Blake Nagureny 4 3-6 14, Alex Roberts 0, Logan Hahn 3 2-2 11, Gavin Kershner 3 1-3 8, Matt Leluga 0, Mason Marinelli 6 0-0 14, Mitch Nowroski 2 1-2 5, Logan Vakiener 0. Totals: FG 18, FT 7-13, 3s (9 – Nagureny 3, Hahn 3, Marinelli 2, Kershner)
Em – Matt Rooney 1 0-2 3, Jack Csensits 6 6-7 19, Owen Hafner 1 1-2 3, Mike Rooney 3 0-0 8, Chase Whitesell 1 0-0 3, Matt Deschenes 3 5-6 11, Gabe Kabba 0 2-2 2, Jake Ross 1 0-0 2, Tyler Nunez 0. Totals: FG 16, FT 14-19, 3s (5 – Mike Rooney 2, Matt Rooney 1, Whitesell 1, Csensits 1)
Naz – 18-2-23-9 – 52
Em – 15-4-19-13 – 51