WINCHESTER, Va. - The Shenandoah University men's basketball team ran its season opening contest winning streak to three games Tuesday night with an 83-81 non-league victory over Eastern Mennonite University.

The win is also the fifth straight for the Hornets (1-0) in the series with Eastern Mennonite (2-1).

But it didn't come easy.

Leading by 11 points at halftime and as many as 13 in the second half, Shenandoah gave its visitors two possessions in the final 20 seconds to either tie or take its only lead of the contest.

SU came up with a defensive stop on both occasions, seeing EMU's Jason Sager turn the ball over with 11 seconds left and then not get a shot off on its final possession.

After Sager threw the ball away trying to feed a cutter with 11 seconds left, the Royals immediately fouled Onyie Onunaku on the inbounds play.

Onunaku, who had a team-high 23 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts, missed both free throws and EMU gained the rebound on the second miss. 

Following another time-out, the Royals advanced the ball over midcourt with five seconds remaining, but were not able to get in position for a shot.

The victory snaps a eight-game losing streak for the Hornets dating back January 29, 2006.

Four of the five Shenandoah starters scored in double figures, led by Onunaku's 23 and a career-high 17 from sophomore Lenzie Adams. Jeremiah Lawrence had 16 points in just 19 minutes, while Moutkar Fawehinmi had 13 points and seven boards.

Shenandoah shot an even 50 percent from the field and blocked nine EMU shots. 

Sager led all scorers with 27 points and also had a game-high 17 rebounds. Junior Brad Parkes, added 14 points for the visitors.

Box Score 

SU travels to Division I Longwood on Saturday.