NORTON, Mass. (January 31, 2026) – Emerson College shot 51-percent from the floor while limiting Wheaton College under 30% to secure an 84-55 triumph in a New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference (NEWMAC) men's basketball matchup at Haas Athletic Center this evening.

Senior Linus Helmhold powered three from Emerson in double-figures by scoring 17 of his game-high 24 points in the first half, finishing 6-of-8 shooting from the floor, including 1-for-2 from three-point range, while converting 11-of-12 free-throws to go with five rebounds and two assists. Junior Shay Roban added 15 points off the bench on 5-of-9 shooting, including 3-for-5 from beyond the arc, with a career-high matching six rebounds and a steal. Senior Brendan McNamara rounded out the Lions in double figures with ten points on 3-of-5 shooting, including 2-for-3 from deep, and two assists, while classmate Jacob Armant chipped in eight points, three assists and two boards.

Roban drained 3-of-5 three-pointers on his way to 15 points off the bench to reach double figures for the third-straight game (PHOTO BY Bob Blanchard/RJBSports.com)

Junior Dimetri Iafrate led Wheaton with 15 points on 4-of-7 shooting, including 3-for-4 from three-point range, two assists and two steals. Senior Tristan Herry was the only other Lyon in double-figures with ten points and two assists.

Emerson never trailed, scoring the first seven points of the game and holding Wheaton without a field goal for the first six minutes. Wheaton was back within a point (11-10) after an Iafrate three-pointer with 12:53 remaining in the first half when the Lions used a 17-5 run to grab their first double-figure lead (28-15) with 8:25 to go after Roban capped five straight points with a three.

Emerson closed the half by outscoring Wheaton 8-1 over the final 2:36 to carry a 20-point lead (44-24) into halftime after a three-pointer by sophomore Hank Gramlich. McNamara and Helmhold opened the second half with three-pointers to extend the Lions lead to 26 (50-24) less than three minutes in and the margin would not dip inside 20 points the rest of the way, peaking at 31 (84-53) down the stretch.

Noteworthy

• Emerson dominated the glass with a 43-22 rebounding margin, including 15 offensive boards.
• Helmhold finished two points shy of his career-best with his fourth 20-point game of the season (7^th career), scoring in double figures for the 13^th game this season (31^st career).
• Roban reached double figures for the third-straight game and sixth time this year overall (11^th career).
• McNamara reached double figures for the 32^nd time in his career, including three double digit scoring games this season.
• Emerson made 56-percent of its shots (14-for-25) in the first half to finish shooting 50.9% overall, connecting on 5-of-10 three-pointers in the opening half.
• Wheaton was limited to 28.3% shooting (13-46), including 27.3% (6-22) in the second half, shooting 3-of-13 (23.1%) from long distance after the intermission.

Up Next
Emerson (8-12, 4-7 NEWMAC) will have the week off before returning home to host MIT in NEWMAC play on Hank Smith Court at Bobbi Brown and Steven Plofker Gymnasium next Saturday, February 7, at 1 p.m. Wheaton (13-7, 6-5 NEWMAC) visits MIT on Wednesday at 6 p.m.

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