Eagles Survive Final Seconds at Emmaus

DUBUQUE, Iowa—The end of an eight-game road trip ended in dramatic fashion Tuesday evening as the Faith Eagles men's basketball team defeated the Eagles of Emmaus Bible College, 64-63.

A basket by Jared Pearson with 18 seconds remaining gave Faith a one-point lead. Emmaus took the ball down to the final seconds with the chance to win the game, but a jump shot and an offensive putback both fell short as the Faith bench erupted in jubilation. The stretch of road games, which began on January 7, is now in the rearview mirror as Faith comes home on a winning note with a chance to regroup for the final stretch of the season. Five of the final seven games of the regular season are at home, including the next four in a row. The Eagles' record stands at 5-9, and Faith will likely need to win several more games to qualify for the regional tournaments.

A game that saw 10 ties and seven lead changes was close throughout most of the contest. Faith's largest lead was nine points, early in the first half. Emmaus's largest lead was six points midway through the first half. Both teams were deadlocked at halftime after cold shooting performances by both teams, which combined for 4-of-22 shooting from three point distance over the first 20 minutes.  

Carson Odle gave the Eagles a huge lift off the bench, scoring eight of his team-high 14 points in the second half, while James Busenitz provided great energy, recording a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. Pearson's game-winning bucket was the most important of his 13 points.

Faith's next game is this Friday, January 28, at 8 p.m. against Central Christian College of the Bible. The Saints are 9-9 overall.