HAARISONBURG, VA --- Drama was plenty in Sunday's finale of the Loyal Royals Tip-Off Classic, where EMU's Runnin Royals got past St. Mary's (Md.) in the dogfight.  Eastern Mennonite trailed by six late, but closed the game on an 11-3 run to earn an 82-80 win in front of the home crowd in Yoder Arena.

The Royals led by as many as eight early in the game, but SMC used a 12-3 run for their first lead at 21-20.  The streak build to 17-4 as the Seahawks had the lead at 26-21.  EMU regrouped and the score was tied 42-42 at halftime.

The teams traded leads in the second half with neither getting ahead by more than six.  Royals nearly tied the score with eight minutes to go, but Kwa McDonald (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) was whistled for a charge on a fastbreak shot.  The call seemed to fuel St. Mary's as the visitors answered every EMU score and then pushed up a 77-71 cushion after a MacGyver Biniak layup with 3:11 to go.

Ryan Yates (Alexandria, Va./T.C. Williams) missed the front end of a one-and-one on EMU's next possession, and the Seahawks looked to improve on their biggest lead of the contest.  But a wild swing  whipped the game's momentum in a 180-degree turn.

Yates was called for holding on the defensive end, but SMC's Biniak threw the ball in response, earning a technical foul and exiting with his fifth foul.  James Williams (Capitol Heights, Md./Archbishop Carroll) headed to the stripe for the two charity tosses, but after he hit one, the Seahawks' coach was tagged with another technical foul.  As a result, Williams shot and swished four free throws, slicing the SMC lead to 77-75.

The Royals took the gift and ran with it.  The men got the ball after Williams' tosses, and David Falk (Madison, Va./Madison County) hit a jumper in the lane to tie the score at 77-77.  Yates then picked off a pass and threw down a dunk to complete a shocking 8-0 run in the span of 37 seconds and vault EMU in front 79-77 with 2:08 to go.

The teams traded a number of misses until Williams hit two more free throws with 16.6 showing, bumping the lead to 81-77.  Tanner Brooks hit a quick three for SMC to trim the lead to one and Williams was sent back to the free throw line with 8.3 left.  The senior hit the second of two tosses and Donya Jackson missed a contested jumper in the closing seconds to leave the Runnin Royals with the two-point win.

EMU had a slight edge in shooting, 43.9% to 41.3%, and neither team shot well from outside.  St. Mary's was 14-15 from the free throw line, but the Royals out-did them by sheer volume, going 20-38.  The Seahawks also committed 15 turnovers to 11 for EMU.

Yates led all players with 19 points to go with six rebounds and a game-high three steals.  He was named the MVP of the Loyal Royals All-Tournament Team, averaging 17.0 points, 6.5 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.5 assists.

Falk came in with his first double double of the year at 15 points, 10 rebounds and six blocked shots.  EMU's center was named the All-Tournament Team by averaging 13.0 points, 8.5 rebounds, 4.5 blocks and 1.5 steals.

Williams finished 8-9 from the free throw line and connected on 17 points.  Blake Steele (Front Royal, Va./Warren County) added six points and six rebounds off the bench.

Troy Spurrier led St. Mary's with 17 points while Brooks added 15 points and six rebounds.  Jackson had 10 points and 13 rebounds.  All-Region guard Nick Laguerre was held to eight points on 2-16 shooting, but had a game high five assists.

Now 2-0 on the year, Eastern Mennonite has the week off as they prepare for the second of their four two-day tourneys this season.  The Royals head to Grantham, Pa., for a tournament hosted by Messiah College, opening against NCAA qualifier DeSales on Friday at 4:00pm.

Coach Kirby Dean talks about the tight win over the talented Seahawks: