WINCHESTER, Va. – The men's basketball team had to work a little harder than expected Tuesday evening in its non-league contest with Southern Virginia, but the Hornets held on for a 81-72 victory. 

SU is now 4-0 on the season for the first time since 1988-89, a season in which the Hornets finished 21-9 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Tournament. 

Despite taking a 14 point lead at the half (46-32) and extending the advantage to as much as 21 with just over 16 minutes left, SU had to hold on against the Knights (4-7). SVU went on a 12-2 run in a 3:06 span to trail by just three at 72-69 with 38 seconds left as Shenandoah missed five shots on consecutive possessions. With the game now on the line, Coach Rob Harris' club made nine of 10 free throws down the stretch to take the nine point victory. 

Thompson led all scorers with 25 points while Chris Jenkins (Bristow, Va./Brentsville) had a career high 11, Tom Crawford (Alexandria, Va./Montgomery-Rockville) 10 and Halston Camp (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) 10 points to go along with a game high eight rebounds. 

Brian Beckstrand had 18 for Southern Virginia, including 16 in the final 20 minutes. 

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200203/120402.htm 

SU is back in action again on Thursday against longtime rival Frostburg State.