DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- The Embry-Riddle men's basketball team continued their impressive start to the season with a well-earned 96-88 victory over the Saint Leo Lions at the ICI Center on Saturday. The Eagles (8-2, 4-0 SSC) showcased a balanced attack and strong rebounding to secure the win over the Lions (4-6, 1-3 SSC) and remain unbeaten in league play.

First Half: 

• Fast Start for the Eagles: Embry-Riddle opened with high energy, quickly jumping out to a 10-4 lead behind a three-pointer and layup from Dru Nickson.
• Trading Leads Early: Saint Leo briefly took the lead at the 10:41 mark, capitalizing on inside scoring from Jaylan McElroy, but Embry-Riddle regained control with a 9-0 run fueled by tough defense and transition baskets.
• Dominance on the Glass: The Eagles' aggressive rebounding, led by Yassin Hussein and Michael McCalister, resulted in 11 offensive boards. This dominance translated into 7 second-chance points.
• Bench Contribution: Jack Klinger came off the bench to provide a spark, scoring two quick baskets in the paint and giving Embry-Riddle key momentum going into halftime.
• Halftime Lead: Embry-Riddle went into the break with a 47-35 lead, holding Saint Leo to just 1-for-11 shooting from beyond the arc while shooting 43.9% themselves.

Second Half: 

• Eagles Build a Big Lead: Embry-Riddle came out firing, opening the second half on a 14-4 run to stretch the lead to 20 points. Michael McCalister nailed two three-pointers during this stretch, while the Eagles' defense forced tough contested shots.
• Saint Leo's Rally: The Lions chipped away at the lead with a 12-2 run midway through the half, fueled by hot shooting from Tae Wilson and Brady Corso. Wilson scored 19 of his game-high 25 points in the second half.
• Key Moments Down the Stretch: Embry-Riddle answered Saint Leo's push with a crucial basket-and-one play from Nickson at the 4:12 mark, maintaining a comfortable cushion.
• Late-Game Control: The Eagles slowed the pace in the final two minutes, with Dru Nickson and Jared Berry handling the ball efficiently to seal the game at the free-throw line.

Key Statistics for Embry-Riddle:

• Points in the Paint: Embry-Riddle dominated with 44 points inside, exploiting their size and rebounding edge.
• Second-Chance Points: The Eagles capitalized on their 20 offensive rebounds to score 15 second-chance points.
• Team Effort: Four players scored in double figures, led by Nickson (18 points, 7 assists) and McCalister (19 points, 8 rebounds).
• Defensive Presence: The Eagles forced 8 turnovers in the first half and finished with 7 steals, disrupting Saint Leo's offensive rhythm.

The Eagles' collective effort earned them their eighth victory of the season and extended their conference unbeaten streak. ERAU looks to keep the momentum going with the Bahama House Classic approaching. Conference Carolinas schools Coker, Lees-McRae and Mt. Olive will visit the ICI Center Friday and Saturday for the two-day annual tournament.