WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University gave away a 24-point lead Saturday afternoon in its USA South Conference home opener against NC Wesleyan, but held on for a 87-83 victory.

SU (5-6 overall, 1-1 USA South) snaps a five-game losing streak with loss. NC Wesleyan, the pre-season conference favorite, falls to 8-5 overall and 1-1 in the league.

For the first 20 minutes of the contest, the Hornets appeared to be headed for a blowout victory. SU shot 21 for 37 (56.8 percent) in the first half, forced nine turnovers and took a 52-31 into the lockerroom.

After Chris Jenkins (Bristow, Va./Brentsville) nailed a three-pointer to open the second half, it appeared that the first-half pattern would continue.

Not so fast.

Wesleyan went on a 21-7 run from Jenkins' trey at the 19:45 mark until 12:24 remained, getting themselves back into it at 62-52. This run was broken up at the 13:58 mark when referee Tony Herndon collapsed and was unable to complete the contest. After a 25-minute delay, the game continued with two officials. Herndon was transported to Winchester Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead.

Shenandoah and the Bishops then traded scoring possessions until Wesleyan tied the game at 71-71 with 5:18 remaining on a Keith Sudler three-pointer. NCWC tied it on the strength of a 11-2 run in a 1:32 span from the 6:50 to 5:18 marks.

With the battle now joined, Shenandoah took the lead on five straight possessions only to see Wesleyan tie it on the next trip down the floor. The Hornets finally broke away for good when Chris Rhone (Washington, D.C./Northwestern) backed up his lay-up with a three-pointer with 1:49 left.

Wesleyan was able to cut the deficit to one with 58 ticks remaining, but the Hornets were able to make three of four free-throws in the waning moments.

Rhone led all scorers with 24 while Kenneth Purnell (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton) added 16 and Chad Brashears (Hagerstown, Md./St. Maria Goretti) 13 for the victors.

Bradley Blue led the Bishops with 20, Sudler had 16, Ryan Sinclair 13, Mo Boykin 11 and Donta Jenkins 12 with 12 rebounds.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200304/011704.htm

Shenandoah hosts Chowan Monday night in another USA South Conference doubleheader with the women.