WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University jumped out to a double digit lead early Tuesday night and then had to hold on for a 65-63 non-conference victory over visiting Eastern Mennonite. 

Shenandoah (3-0) led 37-25 just before the Royals' Chris Ropp hit a buzzer beating three-pointer to end the first half. EMU (2-1) then managed to chip away at the Hornets lead until finally tying the game at 50-50 with 10:20 remaining.

The Royals eventually extended their advantage to three following jumpers by Brad Parkes and Korey Whiting, but SU found another gear. 

Senior Chris Rhone (Washington, D.C./Northwestern) gave his club a lead it would not relinquish with a three-pointer at the 6:11 mark, and Shenandoah held on from there.  

After pulling away by as many as five, Eastern Mennonite cut the deficit to two on two different occasions, the last with 1:14 remaining. After Kenny Purnell (Baltimore, Md./Lake Clifton) missed a 'trey' with 35 seconds left, the Royals held for the last shot. 

Ropp missed his attempt from the corner and Chris Jenkins (Bristow, Va./Brentsville) rebounded for the hosts, securing the victory. 

Freshman Jeremiah Lawrence (Forestville, Md./Forestville) led with a game high 19 points; he was a perfect 8 for 8 from the field. Rhone added 16 and Purnell 15 to round out the Hornets double digit scorers. 

Jason Sager had 15 points and 14 boards for EMU. Parkes, a James Wood HS grad, had 10 points off the bench. 

Box Score/Play by Play 

Shenandoah is off until next Tuesday when they face longtime rival Frostburg State.