BOSTON, Mass. – A heated second half saw the Emerson Men's Basketball Team put up a gritty win Monday night as the Lions topped Pine Manor 75-72. Eli Kell-Abrams led EC with 19 points and eight assists as the Lions improve to 2-2 on the year and Pine Manor drops to 2-2.

The first half saw Pine Manor struggle from the floor, shooting under 20% while EC was phenomenal with a 52% from the floor and 50% from beyond the arc. Eli Kell-Abrams went off for 14 points in the half and six assists.

Teammates Ryan Clinesmith and Austin Pickney both put up eight and seven points respectively and combined for boards. The Lions were dominant in the paint with 20 points to PMC's six while the bench came out to add 10 more points for EC to head into the half up 43-27.

The Gators came out ready to play in the second half though more than doubling their shooting with a 47% from the floor. Tank Roberson led the way for the PMC attack with 13 points and three rebounds as they scratched away at Emerson's lead.

This time the hero for EC was Ryan Clinesmith who added 10 points, but was a beast on the boards with 14 rebounds. PMC was scrappy on D though as they collected 19 points off of 16 turnovers in the half while their bench added 10. In the end free throws saved the Lions as they shot 60% from the line for 12 points as they held on to the 75-72 win.

The Lions hit the home court again tomorrow as they set to host Fisher tomorrow at 7:30 p.m. at Emerson's Brown-Plofker Gym in Boston, Mass.