An up-and-down season opener ended on the positive side for the Runnin Royals Friday night, as they got past Elizabethtown College 81-65 at the EMU Tip-Off Classic in Harrisonburg.

After the teams traded turnovers to start the game, EMU zipped to a 12-2 lead.  The surge continued all the way to 23-10 after Andrew Thorne (Front Royal, VA/Skyline) hit a jumper nine minutes into the contest.

The men suddenly got sloppy on offense, though, and the Blue Jays responded with a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes to knot the score at 27-27.  But Elizabethtown could never get over the hump to take the lead.

The teams were tied at 30-30 at halftime.  After Thorne scored eight points to keep the Royals in front early in the second, he assisted James Williams (Capitol Heights, MD/Archbishop Carroll) on a three-point play which landed the knock-out punch.  The play triggered a 13-1 run which pushed the lead back up to 53-40.  All of EMU's points in the run came from layups, dunks or free throws.

The Blue Jays got back within nine points, but Dajon Daniel (Fredericksburg, VA/Mountain View) kept the visitors at bay with a stretch where he converted a three-point play, made a steal, and nailed a three pointer for a quick 6-0 run.

The outcome was never in doubt over the final 10 minutes, as Eastern Mennonite cruised.

Despite making only 3-of-17 three pointers, the Runnin Royals still connected on 50% of their shots overall, while holding Elizabethtown to 38% from the floor.  The men also had a 45-34 edge in rebounding.  Neither team did a good job holding onto the ball, with the Blue Jays having slightly more turnovers, 26-24.

Daniel finished with a game high 19 points with six rebounds and three steals.  Thorne connected on 18 points with seven boards.  R.J. Sims (Fort Washington, MD/Friendly) had 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists and four steals.  David Falk (Madison, VA/Madison) had seven points, seven rebounds and three big blocked shots.

Williams added eight counters and four assists.  Ryan Yates (Alexandria, VA/T.C. Williams) led all players with nine rebounds.

The men return to Yoder Arena tomorrow afternoon to wrap up play at their own EMU Tip-Off Classic, hosting Ferrum at 4:00pm.  The Panthers beat Bridgewater College Friday night, shooting 71% from the floor to win 85-72.