FERRUM, Va. - Host Ferrum College used a big first-half run to key a 68-52 USA South Conference men's basketball victory over Shenandoah University Saturday afternoon.

The Panthers (10-13, 4-6 USA South) broke open a tie game by going on a 19-2 run from the 17:38 to 12:34 marks of the first half. Junior Jeremiah Lawrence ended this 4:54 spurt with a layup at the 12:28 mark, but the damage was done.

With its lead in double digits, Ferrum was able to keep it there for all but 46 seconds the rest of the way

Shenandoah (7-14, 1-8) cut its deficit to nine points by sandwiching a 6-0 run around halftime, but after Lenzie Adams made it 30-21 by hitting one of two free throws eight seconds into the second, the Panthers started another run.

This run, a 12-2 spurt that took 3:03, pushed the hosts lead to 42-23 with 16:03 remaining and effectively put the game out of reach.

SU did cut the gap to 10 points with 2:00 left and to 11 points on two other occasions, but could get no closer.

Lawrence and freshman Kenny Robertson each had 10 points for coach Robert Harris. Lawrence, the team's leading scorer, now needs just five points to become the 14th member of the SU men's basketball 1000-point club. He also had a team-high nine rebounds.

Cedric Jones had 21 points and 15 rebounds for the hosts, who shot 23 for 57 (40.4 percent) from the field for the contest.

Box Score 

The Hornets travel to lead co-leader Averett University on Sunday for a 4:00 contest.