WINCHESTER, Va. - Not exactly the way the Royals wanted to kick off 2025. 

With the game tied at 51, and it looking like the game was heading for a second overtime, Shenandoah's Joshua Stephen took the inbounds pass, dribbled to the elbow and put up a jumper that hit just as time expired, as the Hornets picked up the 53-51 win. 

Records: EMU 3-8,0-3 ODAC | Shenandoah 6-7, 1-3 ODAC

Highlights

First Half
Shenandoah jumped out to a 5-0 lead before back to back threes from Payton Lewis put EMU ahead by one. SU responded with a 7-0 run, but the Royals rallied with an 8-2 tilt, picking up four points from Aaron Brooks and two apiece from Aviwe Mahlong and Jalen Jones. In the final 30 seconds of the half, EMU would be able to cut their deficit to one with a layup from Isaiah Carr, but a Hornet bucket gave SU a 25-22 lead at the break. 

Second Half
Brooks started the scoring for EMU out of the gate, and after an SU basket, Lewis used a layup and one, along with a Jones layup, to put EMU on top 29-27. The defense was tight in the second half, as neither team was able to gain more than a three point lead, until 5:42 left in the game when a layup from Zach Bailey put EMU ahead by five. It was a furious last two minutes, as SU took a lead with a three with 1:50 remaining. That was answered by a three and a layup from Brooks, to give EMU a two-point lead with just 35 seconds left. But a jumper from the Hornets tied the game at 47, giving the fans five free minutes of basketball. 

Overtime
Neither team's offense could get going to start the extra period, until a pair of Lewis free throws at 2:58 gave the Royals a lead. Carr would add a layup, putting EMU ahead 51-49 with 1:16 left, but SU closed out the game scoring the final four points. 

Statistical Leaders
Lewis: 13 points
Mahlong: 11 points, 5 rebounds
Brooks: 11 points

What's Next
The Royals will be back in Yoder Arena for the first time in 2025 on Wednesday, when they welcome in the Hornets of the University of Lynchburg. Tipoff is set for 7 pm. 


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