The Runnin Royals fell to the Lynchburg Hornets in overtime Saturday evening in Yoder Arena. After a slow start, the Royals bounced back to begin a back and forth shootout, but ultimately fell by a score of 95-87.

Lynchburg jumped to a 17-point advantage in the first half, with EMU struggling to score. Once the Royals picked up momentum, the game swayed towards their side. In the final 20 seconds of the half, a three by Mark Burkholder (Broadway, Va./Petersburg/Geneva) and a steal leading to a jumpshot by Tie Evans (Henrico, Va./Steward School) put the men within eight. 

The start of the second half began the excitement. 

The two teams continued through the second half trading shots. Both teams were similar in field goal percentage, with the Royals shooting 58.3% from the floor and the Hornets shooting 59.4%. 

The Royals made their way all the way back, taking the lead 68-67 with a jump shot from Mizz Nyagwegwe (Norristown, Pa./Dock Mennonite Academy). From there, the Royals would lead for a majority of the final minutes. 

The Hornets tied up the score 81-81 with :17 left in regulation. The Royals were unable to capitalize in the final seconds, sending the contest into overtime. EMU would end up outscoring Lynchburg 53-45 in the second half. 

Unfortunately, Lynchburg dominated overtime, outscoring EMU 14-6 to push the final score to 95-87.  

Burkholder led the scoring for EMU, ending the game with 18 points on top of his team-leading eight rebounds.  

Tim Jones (Forestville, Md./Central) and Evans each had 17 points to their names. Jones, in the first game of his senior year, collected 10 assists, a new career high. He rounded out his stat line with five boards and four steals.

Evans buried five triples and scored 17 points. Nyagwegwe added 16 and six rebounds, while Chris Simmons (Culpeper, Va./Culpeper County) also had six rebounds. 

Tharon Suggs led Lynchburg (2-0) with 30 points and four assists.

The Royals are scheduled to be back in action on Saturday, Jan. 30 against Randolph College.

Postgame interview with Coach Melvin Felix: