Salem, Va. --- Melvin Felix and
Curtis Peery both scored in double figures in the 80-77 victory over Eastern Mennonite on Saturday night at the C. Homer Bast Center. The Maroons are 12-1 overall and preserved an undefeated 4-0 mark in the ODAC. The Royals fell to 7-4 overall, 3-2 in the ODAC.
Roanoke, ranked #22 in the latest top-25 poll, shot 50% from the floor while holding their opponents to under 30% in the second half to win their 11th-straight. It is the longest win streak and best start since the 1999-00 season.
Peery recorded his second double-double of the week and his fifth of the season with 23 points including a career-best 12 rebounds. He passed Tony Proietti '52 and Jared Butler '06 for 22nd on the all-time scoring list with 1,123 points. The Salem native also led the Maroons with three steals.
Felix led the Maroons with a career-high 25 points and season-high five assists including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. The second-highest scorer on the team (10.8 ppg), Felix has scored in double-figures in six games this season.
A slow start for both teams, Roanoke and Eastern Mennonite swapped the lead several times in the first six minutes of the contest. The Royals went on a 10-2 run for an eight-point lead, 17-9 with 11:13 to go in the first half.
After the Maroons cut it to within five, the Royals broke out on a 14-3 run for a comfortable 16-point advantage, 34-18 with 7:25 remaining. Roanoke chipped away their deficit with big three-pointers from
Drew Gaeng and Felix as they closed to within 10, 42-32 heading into intermission.
Roanoke continued their momentum from the end of the first half and brought it within three at the 14:30 minute mark when
Parrish Walker's lay-up made it, 52-49. EMU maintained the lead until Felix hit a jumper to tie the game at 57 with 10:24 left to play.
The first lead for the Maroons since the 16:16 mark in the first half occurred as
Corey Poindexter swished a two-pointer with 9:06 remaining.
Roanoke gained the lead for good after a trey from Poindexter that gave the Maroons a 73-71 edge. The Maroons held the lead and sealed the game with three free-throws from Felix as the remaining seconds ticked off the clock.
Poindexter finished with nine points and three rebounds off the bench in the victory. Walker had eight points and a career-high nine rebounds along with three assists.
Johnson led Eastern Mennonite with 20 points and six rebounds. Three other Royals scored in double-figures including D.J. Hinson (12) Orie Pancione (10), and LeRoger Parrish (12). The trio combined for 15 boards.
The men will host Guilford on Monday in more ODAC action at the C. Homer Bast Center. Roanoke holds a 37-13 series advantage and looks to avenge a 67-57 loss in the ODAC semifinals. Game time is scheduled for 7 p.m.
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