WINCHESTER, Va. - Shenandoah University sophomore Mandy Johnston celebrated a pair of birthdays Wednesday evening by leading her team to a 62-57 USA South Conference women's basketball victory over Mary Baldwin.

It was a birthday for both head coach Michelle Guyant-Holloway and Johnston's father, Mike, and the younger Johnston made it a memorable evening by contributing a career-high 28 points in the five-point win over the Fighting Squirrels (4-6, 3-4 USA South).

Johnston had nine field goals and was 5 of 7 from both behind the arc and at the foul line to help Shenandoah (7-5, 3-3) to its second straight victory and fifth win in the past six outings.

However, the 50th career victory for Guyant-Holloway was far from easy.

The two teams traded the lead seven times and were tied on five other occasions before the Hornets finally took the lead for good when Stephanie Holton converted a layup with 11:45 to play.

Johnston followed that layup with one of her five 3-pointers on the evening and SU held at least a two-point advantage the rest of the way.

Shenandoah gave itself so much needed breathing room with a 14-6 run over a span of 6:02 that gave the hosts a 51-43 lead with 5:43 remaining, but MBC would not go away.

The Squirrels used some strong shooting from Krystal Churchman (18 points) along with a 4 of 6 showing from the free throw line to cut the deficit to just three, 58-55, with 1:07 remaining.

SU then clinched the game by making four of its last five shots from the charity stripe.

Johnston was the only SU player in double figures while Alexis Hargbol added a game-high 16 rebounds along with seven points.

Sabrina Desper backed up Churchman with 11 points and Kara Hawkins had nine points and 11 boards for Mary Baldwin.

The Hornets continue USA South Conference play this weekend with 2:00 contests at Ferrum Saturday and Averett Sunday.

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