Feb 14, 2011
HARRISONBURG, VA -- Eastern Mennonite has had its share of good wins this season, but the men were still looking for a signature win. Monday night they got it. In a rescheduled Valentine's Day date, the Runnin Royals scored the first 11 points against No. 7 Virginia Wesleyan and never looked back in an 86-71 win.
Fueled by a stifling defense, EMU held the Marlins scoreless for the first 3:02 and jumped ahead 17-2. VWC, which slipped to No. 7 in the D3hoops.com poll released shortly before the game, started the game 1-12 from the floor and could never get the lead below double digits.
Play grew increasingly intense as the first half wore on, including off-setting technical fouls called with 11 seconds left in the frame. But the Royals grabbed all the momentum going into halftime, as sophomore Andrew Thorne (Front Royal, Va./Skyline) hammered down a dunk as the period expired with a fancy assist coming from Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee).
Eastern Mennonite, which rose two spots to No. 14 in the new national poll, led 47-32 at halftime.
Although the men had droughts of intensity in the second 20 minutes, Virginia Wesleyan could never get closer than 11 points at 47-36.
The physical play caught up with the Marlins, who had three players foul out by the end of the game. The starters remained on the floor to the final buzzer as VWC didn't give up and the Runnin Royals celebrated the 86-71 win.
Coach Kirby Dean said his team's defense made the difference.
"I thought we played great defense, especially for those first 10 minutes or so," he said. "When we play defense we become a really good team as we can get out on the break."
Eastern Mennonite held the Marlins to less than 40% shooting in each half, hampering VWC to 23-67 from the floor for 34%. The Runnin Royals, meanwhile, scored in transition and in the half court, connecting on 30-of-59 shots for 51%.
The men did struggle from the free throw line, going 22-41 for 54%. The Marlins were 21-33 for 64%.
It was also the fifth win in a row for EMU in the series between the two teams.
Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) had his second consecutive double double, finishing with game highs of 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Orie Pancione (Augusta, WV/Hampshire) and George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) were each effective from the floor and finished with 18 points apiece.
Crawford came in with 11 points and eight rebounds. D.J. Hinson (Newport News, Va./Menchville) had three blocked shots and Thorne finished with a game high three steals.
DJ Woodmore (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) led the Marlins with 18 points. Donald Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va./Dumfries Potomac) scored 10 before fouling out.
The Runnin Royals have now won six straight as they enter the final week of the regular season. EMU is 19-4 overall and 10-4 in the ODAC, moving into a tie for third place with Guilford. VWC slips to 20-3 and 11-3 in the ODAC. The Marlins have lost two in a row and fell into second place behind Randolph-Macon.
Next up for Eastern Mennonite is their final home game of the season, hosting Washington & Lee on Wednesday. The Royals will also honor their five seniors before the game for Senior Recognition Night. The talented group has helped change the culture of men's basketball at the school.
Fueled by a stifling defense, EMU held the Marlins scoreless for the first 3:02 and jumped ahead 17-2. VWC, which slipped to No. 7 in the D3hoops.com poll released shortly before the game, started the game 1-12 from the floor and could never get the lead below double digits.
Play grew increasingly intense as the first half wore on, including off-setting technical fouls called with 11 seconds left in the frame. But the Royals grabbed all the momentum going into halftime, as sophomore Andrew Thorne (Front Royal, Va./Skyline) hammered down a dunk as the period expired with a fancy assist coming from Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee).
Eastern Mennonite, which rose two spots to No. 14 in the new national poll, led 47-32 at halftime.
Although the men had droughts of intensity in the second 20 minutes, Virginia Wesleyan could never get closer than 11 points at 47-36.
The physical play caught up with the Marlins, who had three players foul out by the end of the game. The starters remained on the floor to the final buzzer as VWC didn't give up and the Runnin Royals celebrated the 86-71 win.
Coach Kirby Dean said his team's defense made the difference.
"I thought we played great defense, especially for those first 10 minutes or so," he said. "When we play defense we become a really good team as we can get out on the break."
Eastern Mennonite held the Marlins to less than 40% shooting in each half, hampering VWC to 23-67 from the floor for 34%. The Runnin Royals, meanwhile, scored in transition and in the half court, connecting on 30-of-59 shots for 51%.
The men did struggle from the free throw line, going 22-41 for 54%. The Marlins were 21-33 for 64%.
It was also the fifth win in a row for EMU in the series between the two teams.
Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) had his second consecutive double double, finishing with game highs of 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists. Orie Pancione (Augusta, WV/Hampshire) and George Johnson (Richmond, Va./Miller School) were each effective from the floor and finished with 18 points apiece.
Crawford came in with 11 points and eight rebounds. D.J. Hinson (Newport News, Va./Menchville) had three blocked shots and Thorne finished with a game high three steals.
DJ Woodmore (Virginia Beach, Va./Landstown) led the Marlins with 18 points. Donald Vaughn (Woodbridge, Va./Dumfries Potomac) scored 10 before fouling out.
The Runnin Royals have now won six straight as they enter the final week of the regular season. EMU is 19-4 overall and 10-4 in the ODAC, moving into a tie for third place with Guilford. VWC slips to 20-3 and 11-3 in the ODAC. The Marlins have lost two in a row and fell into second place behind Randolph-Macon.
Next up for Eastern Mennonite is their final home game of the season, hosting Washington & Lee on Wednesday. The Royals will also honor their five seniors before the game for Senior Recognition Night. The talented group has helped change the culture of men's basketball at the school.