A hot start wasn't enough for the Runnin Royals, as they had to sweat out an 80-74 season-opening win over Ferrum College in the EMU Tip-Off Classic Saturday evening in Harrisonburg.  Eastern Mennonite takes on perennial power St. Mary's (Md.) to wrap up the classic Sunday afternoon at 4:00pm.

The men looked as good as advertised from the opening tip, forcing Ferrum into nine turnovers and five missed shots to start the game.  EMU scored the first 14 points, all in the first five minutes.

But the Panthers regrouped and quickly cut the lead down to 24-18.  The visitors kept coming and eventually tied the score at 35-35 on a jumper from Rashawn Speas with 1:46 to go in the half.  The Royals scored the next three points and still clung to a 40-37 edge at the break.

In the second, the margin stayed between two and six points until a 9-0 run pushed EMU up 67-53 with 5:41 remaining.  The Panthers responded with a 14-6 streak, cutting the lead back down to 73-67 with 1:19 left.

Put to the free throw line, the Royals made 5-of-6 tosses over the final 54 ticks to seal the six-point win.

Both teams shot a shade better than 43%, but EMU got their needed advantage by forcing 20 turnovers.

Marcel Crump (Richmond, Va./Highland Springs) was unstoppable, connecting for 22 points and 10 rebounds.  The wing was also 8-8 from the free throw line.  Ryan Yates (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) was good for 15 points and seven rebounds, while David Falk (Madison, Va./Madison County) added 11 points, seven boards, three steals and three blocks.  James Williams (Capitol Heights, Md./Archbishop Carroll) had a game high three assists.

Jamal Pullen led Ferrum with 23 points and 11 rebounds.  Marcus Huff had 13 points off the bench and Speas came in with 11.

Eastern Mennonite has a tall task against the Seahawks on Sunday, who beat ODAC rival Bridgewater 76-58 in Saturday's first game.

Coach Kirby Dean talks about the season-opening win: