MOUNT OLIVE — A dominant second-half performance from Matt Kirby wasn’t quite enough to lift the University of Mount Olive past Emory & Henry on Saturday night, as the Trojans fell 94–90 in a high-energy finale to the 60th Annual Pickle Classic at Kornegay Arena.
Kirby exploded for 19 points after halftime—finishing with a game-high 26—nearly carrying UMO to a comeback win. His scoring burst ignited a 10–0 run midway through the second half, highlighted by an acrobatic layup off the backboard and a series of clutch free throws that cut the Wasps’ lead to four.
With just over a minute remaining, Kirby drained a deep three to pull the Trojans within five, then converted a fast-break and-one to make it 87–82. Freshman Oliver Roberts and veteran Raul Perez added key free throws down the stretch, and Kirby slashed in for another late bucket to close the gap to 92–89.
But Emory & Henry responded at the line, sealing the win in the closing seconds despite a final free throw from Perez.
Perez finished with a strong double-double—18 points and 11 rebounds—while Jefferson McLamb (11) and Christopher Brown (12 points, nine rebounds) also contributed in double figures.
The Trojans now turn their focus to conference play as they travel to face Francis Marion in Florence, S.C., on Tuesday, Nov. 25.
