WINCHESTER, Va. E The SU menís basketball team turned in its best ever defensive performance Tuesday evening in an 80-41 blowout of Eastern Mennonite University. 

Shenandoah (3-0) never allowed EMU (1-2) to get into the contest; the Hornets jumped out to a 13-2 lead in the first 4:13 and saw that lead expand to 20 by the 11:54 mark. The Hornets eventually took a 47-19 lead by halftime and led by as much as 45 before the Royals went on a 7-2 run over the final 3:20 of the game. 



The Hornets held EMU to 31 percent (8 for 26) shooting in the first and forced 11 turnovers. Two of these turnovers came on shot clock violations as the SU defense never allowed the Royals an open shot. 

With the outcome generally decided by the intermission, Shenandoah Head Coach Rob Harris emptied his bench in the second. All 15 players saw action and no player played more than senior Tyson Thompsonís (Keysville, Va./Randolph-Henry) 22 minutes. 

Freshman James Brodie (Stafford, Va./North Stafford) led a balanced attack with 10 points while Thompson had seven points and nine assists, Michael Atkins (Winchester, Va./Sherando) nine points and nine rebounds and Halston Camp (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) nine points and eight rebounds. 

The 41 points given up is the lowest in SU history; it breaks the 45 points given up at Averett on February 2, 2002. 

The win was also the eighth straight for the Hornets at Shingleton Gymnasium. SU has lost at home just twice since the start of the 2001-02 season. 

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200203/112502.htm 

The Hornets continue their homestand next Tuesday evening with NAIA Southern Virginia. Game time is 7:00.