HARRISONBURG, Va. – The Eastern Mennonite University men's basketball team suffered their first loss of the season 92-82 at home to Shenandoah University.

The Royals (2-1, 0-0 ODAC) struggled early on as the Hornets (2-1, 0-0 USA South) jumped out to a 7-2 lead. With 10:08 remaining in the first half, JoMorrae Gordon (Oakdale, Calif./Pendleton County) cut the deficit to two points 15-13. Shenandoah would lead all the way until 6:15 when EMU took their first lead of the game off and three-pointer from E.J. Arrington (Staunton, Va./Stuarts Draft).

EMU built a lead as much as eight points but in the last 1:57, the Hornets fought bought and outscored the Royals 9-2 to take a 35-34 halftime lead.

The Royals took the lead quick in the second half as Stuart Leake (Woodstock, Va./Central) hit two free throws. The Hornets would regain the lead but again EMU would take the lead but relinquish it again to Shenandoah.

Mike Culen (Winchester, Va./James Wood) would convert a three-point play to tie the game 64-64. Shenandoah would again take the lead and keep the lead until the end. Chris Rhone scored 25 of his game-high 37 points in the second half. Rhone also added 11 rebounds.

Halston Camp and James Brodie each scored 12 points and grabbed 11 rebounds for the Hornets. Shenandoah shot 53% from the floor in the second half and outrebounded EMU 50-35.

Culen led all EMU scorers with 23 points. Arrington chipped in a season-high 21 points on 9-of-13 shooting. Leake added 11 points.

EMU returns to action December 2 to host Virginia Wesleyan in the first ODAC game of the season. Game time is 7:00 p.m.