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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

Shockley-Okeke_111323_DSC09506
Nick Coy
73
Spring Hill SHCM 1-2
83
Winner Embry-Riddle ERAUM 2-1
Spring Hill SHCM
1-2
73
Final
83
Embry-Riddle ERAUM
2-1
Winner
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 F
Spring Hill SHCM 39 34 73
Embry-Riddle ERAUM 45 38 83

Game Recap: Men's Basketball | | Kyrin Mayfield

Men’s Basketball Wins Home Opener 83-73 over Spring Hill

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. - Just a few days back from the South Region Crossover, the Embry-Riddle men's basketball team celebrated the regular-season home opener by beating Spring Hill 83-73. The win kept the Eagles' all-time record against the Badgers unblemished at 4-0. It also allowed ERAU to stay undefeated in home openers at the ICI Center with a perfect 28-0 record. 

Embry-Riddle was stout defensively to start the game, forcing Spring Hill to miss five of its first six shots. Despite the Badgers' 7-4 lead, blocks from Cameron Shockley-Okeke and Danny Sully helped ERAU stay close to the opposition. 

Down 12-9, Shockley-Okeke started to carve the Badger defense up with multiple drives inside the paint that led to successful layups. His effort helped the Blue and Gold go on a 15-6 run to lead 26-18. Both squads went back and forth as the Eagles' lead slightly fluctuated between five and 10 points. Embry-Riddle closed the half strong by making four consecutive shots in the last five minutes, but the Badgers dealt the last blow with a 3-pointer with just over one second left on the clock to trim ERAU's lead to six at 45-39 heading into the locker room.

Shockley-Okeke was nearly unstoppable in the first half, shooting 6-for-8 and registering 15 points in 16 minutes of action. Each side shot well in the opening frame. The Eagles hit 55 percent of their shots while Spring Hill knocked down half of its attempts. 

Embry-Riddle was responsible for six of the first eight points scored to begin the second half, helping the home team push its lead back up to double digits at 51-41. Michael McCalister increased the Blue and Gold's advantage up to 14 points (60-46) with a shot from behind the arc, but the Badgers used back-to-back downtown shots to fuel a 10-2 spurt that brought SHC within five points at 64-59. 

The Eagles swiftly answered with two consecutive 3-pointers from Jon Alessandro with 9:13 left in the game. At the same time, the Badgers struggled from the floor as ERAU forced SHC to miss four consecutive shots, allowing the lead to grow to 13 points (72-59). However, Spring Hill went from being ice cold to piping hot as the Badgers then went on a 10-2 streak to make the score 74-69, still in favor of the home team. 

Embry-Riddle attacked the paint, scoring eight of its final nine points from close range to hang on for the win. 

Overall, the Eagles shot 56 percent from the floor, led by Shockley-Okeke's 8-for-11 performance to score 21 points. Sully picked up his second straight double-double with 15 points and 10 rebounds. McCalister (15 points) and Dru Nickson (10 points) also reached double figures. 

Embry-Riddle next faces rival Flagler on the road. The Eagles and Saints are scheduled to battle on Thursday, Nov. 16 at 7 p.m in St. Augustine, Florida.
The 2023-24 Embry-Riddle Men's Basketball season is presented by Daytona Kia.
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