DANVILLE, Va. – The SU men's basketball team got itself back on the winning track Saturday afternoon with an 82-68 USA South victory over host Averett University at the Grant Center.

It was the fifth straight victory over victory for Shenandoah (6-7 overall, 2-2 USA South) over the Cougars (0-13, 0-4), and the third straight in Averett's home arena.

The Hornets effectively put their hosts away with a stretch midway through the second half by holding its hosts without a field goal from the 9:38 to 3:35 marks. SU led 62-55 when the run started and expanded that to 75-57 when the Cougars' Andrew Boor finally canned an 8-footer off a fast break.

Junior Kenneth Purnell (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton) only had one field goal, a three-pointer, during this spurt but he made his presence felt earlier. The transfer single-handedly broke open a close game with a six points in the final 30 seconds of the first half. Up 35-31, Purnell nailed a three-pointer with 41 seconds left and after an SU rebound, he rushed downcourt to drain one as time expired. This outburst brought the Hornets lead back into double digits for the first time since holding a 21-11 lead with 13:03 to play.

Shenandoah was able to keep the lead at least eight points the rest of the way and kept it in double digits the entire time after the Cougars' dry run.

Coach Rob Harris' club led by 20 with 4:57 left and Harris emptied his bench. Averett outscored SU 13-9 the rest of the way.

Purnell led all scorers with a career high 30 points, Chris Rhone (Washington, D.C./Northwestern) added 18 and Halston Camp (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) 10 to lead SU.

Averett had three players in double figures: Andrew Boor 17, Sterling Williams 14 and Joey Barksdale with 11.

A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200304/012404.htm

Shenandoah travels to Ferrum College for a 4:00 USA South Conference contest.