ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. – Shenandoah University turned in the biggest men's basketball comeback of coach Rob Pryor's 31-game head coaching career with a 70-63 win over Mary Washington Wednesday afternoon.

The Hornets (2-2) trailed UMW by 16-points at the halftime break, but stole the victory on the strength of a 49-point second half.

SU shot a sizzling 16 of 27 (59.3 percent) in the second half as it outscored the Eagles (0-2) 49-26.

Trailing 37-21 at the break, the Hornets held UMW without a point for the first 4:57 of the second and took its first lead by scoring 24 of the first 32 points of the second.

Freshman Sharif Almulla, who finished with 10 points, gave the Hornets their first lead on a steal and layup at the 7:40 mark.

Just 15 seconds earlier, Almulla had tied the game at 45-45 on a four-point play.

The two teams then traded the lead three times and were tied on three more occasions before Xavier Alston finally have Shenandoah the lead for good on a layup with 3:50 remaining.

Alston's bucket, one of two that he had on the day, ignited a 10-3 run in just 67 seconds that gave SU total control of the contest.

The Hornets led by at least five points the remainder of the contest.

Sophomore Jared Carithers led the victors with 17 points while Bryce Mitchell added 13 and Almulla 10.

Alston had 12 of the squad's 38 rebounds. SU had a 38-35 advantage on the glass.

Shenandoah opens up its first-ever ODAC campaign on Saturday with a 2:00 home contest against Washington and Lee.

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