Roanoke College nearly topples No. 2 Emory in overtime thriller

Maroons' NCAA Division III run ends in 83-81 loss after claiming ODAC title

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Roanoke College's men's basketball team saw its NCAA Division III tournament run end in an 83-81 overtime thriller against Emory University, the nation's No. 2 ranked team. The Maroons, who had just won the ODAC conference championship, pushed the powerhouse Emory squad to the wire behind standout performances from Marcus Morgan and Jackson Bell.

Why it matters

Roanoke College's near-upset of the highly ranked Emory team showcases the program's impressive season and ability to compete with top national programs, despite ultimately falling short. The close game highlights the growth and competitiveness of the Maroons' basketball team.

The details

In the overtime thriller, Roanoke College led Emory University, the No. 2 ranked Division III team, for much of the game before Emory rallied to force overtime and ultimately prevail 83-81. Roanoke was led by strong performances from standout players Marcus Morgan and Jackson Bell, who helped the Maroons nearly pull off the major upset.

  • Roanoke College won the ODAC conference championship the previous week, earning a spot in the NCAA Division III tournament.
  • The overtime thriller against Emory took place on March 9, 2026.

The players

Roanoke College

A Division III college located in Roanoke, Virginia, whose men's basketball team reached the NCAA tournament after winning the ODAC conference title.

Emory University

A private research university in Atlanta, Georgia, whose men's basketball team is ranked No. 2 in Division III.

Marcus Morgan

A standout player for the Roanoke College men's basketball team who had a strong performance in the overtime loss to Emory.

Jackson Bell

Another key player for the Roanoke College men's basketball team who contributed to their near-upset of Emory.

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The takeaway

Roanoke College's near-upset of the highly ranked Emory team demonstrates the program's growth and competitiveness, even as they ultimately fell short in the overtime thriller. The Maroons' impressive season, capped by an ODAC championship, shows they can compete with top national programs and raises expectations for the future.