Men's Basketball - Wednesday 11/18/2009 [Box Score]
George Johnson dumped in 21 points, including a pair of free throws to put EMU up by five with 24 seconds left against Shenandoah.
EMU Fends Off Hornets In 87-81 Win
Trying to build on the season-opening win over Lancaster Bible, Eastern Mennonite hosted a stingy Shenandoah team Wednesday night in Harrisonburg. The Runnin Royals led nearly all of the game and sealed the 87-81 win with late free throws to move to 2-0.
The Hornets scored first in the game, but EMU quickly tallied the next ten to cut off what turned out to be the visitor's only lead of the night. The Royals led by as many as 14 in the first half and were up at the break, 47-36.
The cushion stayed in double digits in the second until Shenandoah used a 13-3 run to tie the game at 68-68 on a three-point play from Kevin Kline at 7:23. But Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) scored EMU's next ten points as the men rebuilt the lead to 78-73.
Shenandoah got back within one point before the Royals iced the game from the free throw line in the 87-81 win.
Phillips was deadly from the field and finished with a game high 29 points. The junior also had seven rebounds and three steals. George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) tallied 21 and Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) notched a double double with 16 points and 11 big rebounds.
Kline had 19 points and 8 rebounds to lead four Hornets in double figures.
EMU shot 42% in the win, compared to 51% for Shenandoah. The Royals had a 42-38 edge in rebounds, including 21-14 on the offensive glass. The men also were 20-26 from the free throw line compared to 10-16 for the Hornets.
The win ups Eastern Mennonite's record to 2-0 as they prepare for an eight-game road swing. The men play Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, at the BC/Don Glick Classic hosted by Bridgewater College. The Royals first match up with Averett Saturday at 6:00pm.
The Hornets scored first in the game, but EMU quickly tallied the next ten to cut off what turned out to be the visitor's only lead of the night. The Royals led by as many as 14 in the first half and were up at the break, 47-36.
The cushion stayed in double digits in the second until Shenandoah used a 13-3 run to tie the game at 68-68 on a three-point play from Kevin Kline at 7:23. But Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) scored EMU's next ten points as the men rebuilt the lead to 78-73.
Shenandoah got back within one point before the Royals iced the game from the free throw line in the 87-81 win.
Phillips was deadly from the field and finished with a game high 29 points. The junior also had seven rebounds and three steals. George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) tallied 21 and Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) notched a double double with 16 points and 11 big rebounds.
Kline had 19 points and 8 rebounds to lead four Hornets in double figures.
EMU shot 42% in the win, compared to 51% for Shenandoah. The Royals had a 42-38 edge in rebounds, including 21-14 on the offensive glass. The men also were 20-26 from the free throw line compared to 10-16 for the Hornets.
The win ups Eastern Mennonite's record to 2-0 as they prepare for an eight-game road swing. The men play Saturday, Nov. 21, and Sunday, Nov. 22, at the BC/Don Glick Classic hosted by Bridgewater College. The Royals first match up with Averett Saturday at 6:00pm.