BRIDGEWATER, VA --- In a game full of wild swings and momentum-changing calls, the Runnin Royals lost a 75-73 decision in overtime to Wesley.  Friday night's game was the opener of the Don Glick Classic hosted by Bridgewater College.

Eastern Mennonite overcame a nine-point deficit in the first half, but then coughed up an 11-point lead in the second.  The Wolverines scored the first seven points of OT to escape with the win when Dajon Daniel's (Fredericksburg, VA/Mountain View) three-pointer at the final buzzer came up short.

The men missed their first seven shots and had two turnovers as they fell behind 8-0.  Wesley kept pushing to a 13-4 advantage, their biggest of the game, before EMU started to settle down.

The Runnin Royals made a quick 8-2 surge to get within two and then trailed 31-25 at halftime.  But the strong finish gave the men momentum in the second.  Ryan Yates (Alexandria, VA/T.C. Williams) canned the men's first two three-pointers early on, trimming the lead back down to two at 35-33.

R.J. Sims (Fort Washington, MD/Friendly) tied the game at 37-37 with a pair of free throws and Owen Longacre (Telford, PA/Christopher Dock) finally capped a 23-8 run with a layup, inflating the cushion to 56-45 with 7:16 to go.

Wesley had a quick answer, however, as their star Paul Reynolds (Smyrna, DE/Smyrna) got fouled on a layup.  He missed the free throw, but an offensive rebound turned into a three-pointer.  After each team missed a couple of chances, the Wolverines got a steal and layup to drop a quick 7-0 run.

EMU still led 61-56 after Andrew Thorne (Front Royal, VA/Skyline) hit a free throw with 2:18 remaining, but the men made three straight turnovers to fuel a Wesley comeback.  The Wolverines scored eight unanswered to swing in front, 64-61, with 31 seconds left.

Longacre was fouled on a three-point attempt 10 seconds later, but made only one of three free throws to trim the lead to two.  Sims picked out a steal, however, giving the men life.  Thorne responded by getting fouled and nailing both free throws to tie the game with 12 ticks left.

WC had a shot rim out at the buzzer, and the game went into OT.

The Wolverines had a devastating start to the extra session.  They got an offensive tip-in to grab the first lead.  Then Adam Burroughs (Roanoke, VA/Northside) was whistled for a charge as he took the ball up the floor.  As EMU was trying to calm down from the call, Wesley got inside for a layup, then got a steal and three pointer on the inbounds to complete a wild 7-0 start over the first 55 seconds of overtime.

With EMU trailing 72-66, they started their comeback.  Yates made a layup with a foul, but missed the free throw.  Daniel picked out a steal and then assisted Thorne on a three-point play to slice the lead to 72-71 with 1:04 left.

Burroughs nearly gave the men the lead with a quick steal, but missed a triple attempt.  The teams traded layups before Wesley got a single free throw with 16 seconds showing.

Eastern Mennonite set up a final play, but was frustrated by WC's defense.  Thorne drove with the ball, and had it knocked away.  The ball bounded to Daniel who missed a three pointer at the buzzer.

The Royals shot 61% over the final 25 minutes of play to make up for 22% shooting in the first half, and finished with a 40% clip.  The Wolverines shot 44%, but made the biggest difference in the game with 21 offensive rebounds and a 51-35 edge on the boards.  Both teams struggled to keep ahold of the ball, with Wesley committing four more turnovers, 28-24.

The men did shoot free throws well, connecting on 19-of-28 for 68%.  The Wolverines were 12-for-21 for 57%.

Thorne led all players with his 18 points and topped EMU with eight rebounds, four steals and three blocked shots.  Sims chipped in 13 points, six boards, four steals and three assists.

Yates also charted 13 counters while Daniel had a game high five assists and four steals.

Wesley's 6-8 center, David Langan (Sayreville, NJ/Sayreville War Memorial), had 15 points and 13 rebounds.  Reynolds finished with 14 points before fouling out.

The game marked the return of Burroughs from a suspension.  Backup center David Falk (Madison, VA/Madison) missed the game with a wrist injury, however, and is expected to miss the next three games before the Christmas break.

The tough loss leaves EMU at 6-3 overall.  They need to regroup quickly, playing Maryland Bible Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm at the Don Glick Classic.  Fans can get free entrance to the game by donating a canned food item at the door.