HARRISONSBURG, Va. - Host Eastern Mennonite kept its men's basketball record perfect this young season with an 87-81 non-conference win over Shenandoah Wednesday evening.

The Royals (2-0) outscored SU (0-2) 19-13 down the stretch to win their second consecutive game in the longtime series between the two schools.

Trailing 65-55 with 9:36 remaining, the Hornets reeled off a 13-3 run to tie the contest at 68 with 7:23 left.

Unfortunately for coach Robert Trent Harris, Jr.'s squad, the hosts Todd Phillips bailed his club out. Phillips, who had a game-high 27 points, scored 16 points after the break to erase Shenandoah's strong second half performance.

With EMU taking a 47-36 lead into the halftime lockerroom, SU saw the Royals expand the lead to as much as 13 before storming back.  

Phillips prevented that comeback from being complete by hitting a three-pointer at the 7:01mark following Kevin Kline's three-point play to tie it and EMU never trailed again.

Shenandoah was able to close the gap to one point on two different occasions and trailed by just three, 84-81 at the 59 second mark, but one missed shot, a turnover and a 3 for 4 performance from the line by the Royals effectively ended the Hornets chances.

Junior Kevin Kline led four players in double figures with 19 points and Chris Schrader added 16.

George Johnson backed up Phillips with 21 for Eastern Mennonite.

EMU held a 42-38 advantage on the glass, including a 21-14 advantage on the Hornets offensive end.

Shenandoah is back on the road on Saturday at Randolph. Tip-off in Lynchburg is scheduled for 4 p.m.

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