HARRISONBURG, VA --- The home iron was unkind Saturday night, as the Eastern Mennonite men struggled to hit shots in their home-opening loss to Lynchburg, 107-87.  The Royals shot just 40.6% from the floor, including 5-26 from long range.

The Hornets came into Yoder Arena and quickly scored the game's first nine points.  The visitors eventually ballooned the lead to 11, before EMU chipped back and got within five at 26-21 with 6:43 left in the half.  LC answered with a 10-0 run to push the lead back up, however,  and was ahead 46-36 at halftime.

Despite a deceivingly high number of possessions in the second half, the pace of the game ground to a halt as a total of 40 fouls were whistled for 67 combined free throw attempts over the final 20 minutes. 

The Runnin Royals used an 11-4 run to get within 57-53  at the 15:04 mark.  Lynchburg then scored on their next 11 possessions to cruise back out to a 75-57 advantage with 10:59 and the Royals never regrouped.

Ryan Yates (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) scored 16 points in the first half and finished with a team high 18 and two steals.  David Falk (Madison, Va./Madison) notched his third double double with 16 points and 13 rebounds to go with two blocked shots.  Marcel Crump (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) added 12 points and four assists.  He attempted 17 free throw attempts on the night, falling just one short Joel Kauffman's record of 18 set in 1999.

LC's Manny Hernandez  went off for 28 points and nine rebounds.  Lyndon White had eight points, eight rebounds and eight assists.

Besides struggling from the floor, the EMU men also labored at the free throw line, making just 26-of-48 attempts for 54%.  In their two wins this season, the Royals have shot 41% and 60% from three point range.  In their two losses they have gone for 21% and tonight's 19%.

At 2-2 overall and 0-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, the Royals head to Ferrum for a non-conference date on Tuesday.  Game time is 4:00pm.