BRIDGEWATER, Va. - The Bridgewater College men's basketball team picked up their first ODAC win of the season over crosstown rival Eastern Mennonite on Wednesday night in Nininger Hall.

The Basics

• Final Score: Bridgewater 73, Eastern Mennonite 63
• Records: Bridgewater (5-8, 1-4 ODAC), Eastern Mennonite (5-9, 3-4 ODAC)

How It Happened

• In the latest edition of the Route 42 rivalry, neither squad was able to gain more than a three point edge through the first six minutes of play. The Royals started to pull away, taking a 16-9 advantage before back-to-back three pointers from Andy Pack and Will Dunlap brought the Eagles back within one at 16-15
• The teams continued to play possesion-for-possesion until another Dunlap three sparked a late Bridgewater run to enter the locker room up 34-29 at the half. Pack posted nine points and four rebounds in the first frame with Alec Topper contributing eight points
• EMU opened the scoring in the second half and tied the game at 39-39 five minutes into the half. After continuing to battle, it was successful freethrow attempts that helped Bridgewater creep away from the Royals and turn a 46-46 game into a 50-46 lead. A nine-point run featuring a Topper three and Rashod Smith layup secured the Eagles their largest lead of evening to that point at 46-55
• Bridgewater maintained the advantage, having an answer to every Royals basket to walk away with their first conference victory of the season

Match Notes

• Topper posted his second double-double of the season with 23 points and ten rebounds
• Pack contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals while Dunlap added nine points and two rebounds
• Aaron Oates had six points and six boards
• The Eagles outshot the Royals from the field 44.6% to 39.3% and added 36 points from the bench compared to the Royals six

Up Next

• Bridgewater returns to action on Saturday, January 22 when they host Randolph. Action is set for 2:00 p.m. in Nininger Hall.