Staff Report
EMU sports: www.emu.edu
Entering Saturday’s game at Hampden-Sydney, the least the Runnin Royals had scored in a game was 79 points. But Eastern Mennonite shot just 38 percent from the floor and 23 percent from long range as the men set a new mark for lowest output this season in an 80-68 loss.
EMU exploded out of the gates, grabbing a 16-4 lead on the Tigers’ home court. Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) gave the Runnin Royals the 12-point lead after a lay-up just 6:06 into the game.
Hampden-Sydney regrouped in a hurry, however, unleashing a 14-0 run to go ahead 18-16 less than four minutes later. The Tigers kept roaring all the way to a 33-21 advantage, a surprising 29-5 run on the nation’s No. 11 team.
The Royals cut into the 12-point halftime deficit, getting within five after a D.J. Hinson (Newport News, Va./Menchville) jumper with 16:04 left.
Hampden-Sydney again regrouped and pushed the lead back into double figures. EMU made a few small runs, chipping the cushion back down to seven points on three different occasions in the final 3:29, but the Tigers made enough free throws to secure the 80-68 upset.
George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) racked up 23 points as the point guard hit 6-of-13 three point attempts. The rest of the team was an icy 1-of-18 from long range. Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) picked up his third straight double double for the Royals with 19 points and 10 rebounds.
EMU’s second consecutive Old Dominion Athletic Conference loss drops the men to 15-3 overall and 8-2 in the league. The Royals hope to turn a new page when they host Lynchburg on Wednesday, Feb. 3.
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Chris Graham
