RECAP >> With an opportunity to help its chances to all but clinch a berth in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference playoffs with a win, Emmaus coudn’t protect a nine-point lead at home last night against Allen as the visiting Canaries rallied for a 56-49 win overtime win before a packed house and playoff-like atmosphere at ‘The Hive.’
Allen outscored the Hornets 8-1 in overtime and gained a split of the season series with Emmaus as they helped their playoff chances by improving to 9-5 in the league and 14-6 overall. The overtime win was the second in four days for the Canaries who were coming off of 76-70 double overtime win over rival Dieruff on Saturday.
Senior Leandro Pena was the catalyst for Allen in the extra session as he scored six of his 13 points. The Canaries left the door open for Emmaus in overtime as they shot just 50 percent (5 of 10) from the free-throw line, but the Hornets couldn’t take advantage as they struggled themselves from the line (25 percent, 1 of 4) and were held without a field goal.
Emmaus, which had defeated Allen earlier this season 51-37 minus its star guard Nate Ellis who was injured, dropped to 9-5 in the EPC and 15-5 overall. The Hornets were led in scoring by junior Dylan Darville who had a team-high 14 points. Sophomore Will Barber and senior Ryan Santos each added nine points for Emmaus which is 2-3 in its last five games.
Allen was paced by Ellis who finished with a game-high 16 points. Teammate junior Darius Brant was huge for the Canaries after halftime as he scored 12 of his 15 points in the third quarter.
Emmaus will look to bounce back on Friday as they play their final regular-season home game hosting rival Parkland (12-2 EPC/14-5 overall) at 7 p.m. The game will be carried LIVE on www.easternpasportsnetwork.com beginning with the pregame show at 6:40 p.m.
The Hornets have already defeated the Trojans once this season (52-44), but Parkland has since one seven in a row, including last night’s 57-51 win over a Northampton team that had won nine straight.
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All – 11-6-19-12-8 – 56
Em – 13-13-14-8-1 – 49
All – Nate Ellis 6 2-2 16, Meech Rogers 3 1-3 9, Leandro Pena 4 3-4 13, Darius Brant 6 2-4 15, Jharon Johnson 0 1-2 1, Cristofer Justo 0 0-0 0, Angel Castro 1 0-1 3. Totals: FG 20, FT 9-16, 3s (6 – Ellis 2, Rogers, Pena 2, Castro)
Em – Dylan Darville 5 3-5 14, Will Barber 3 3-4 9, Jadis Brevitt 3 0-0 6, Jaden Gallagher 1 2-4 4, Ryan Santos 2 5-6 9, Brydon Crawford 1 2-2 5, Wilson Charlot 0 0-2 0, Ryan Diehl 1 0-0 2, Chase Muckey 0 0-0 0, Ben Kieres 0 0-0 0. Totals: FG 16, FT 15-23, 3s (2 – Darville, Crawford)