SALEM, Va. – Host Roanoke College prevented the Shenandoah University men's basketball team from earning its first-ever ODAC victory by rallying for a 65-61 win over the Hornets Saturday afternoon at the Bast Center.

Shenandoah (3-20, 0-14 ODAC) led by 11 points midway through the second half only to see Roanoke (9-14, 2-12) rally in the final seven minutes.

SU had a 58-47 advantage with 7:11 remaining following a pair of Sharif Almulla free throws, but could only watch as the Maroons scored 18 of the game's final 21 points to steal the victory.

The 11-point lead wasn't actually the Hornets largest lead of the contest. Midway through the first, Shenandoah reeled off a 21-8 run over 6:26 to take a 25-13 lead with 7:51 remaining in the stanza.

SU led 34-29 at the break and after RC started the second on a 13-7 run to take its final lead until the rally, the Hornets led for all but 45 seconds.

As Roanoke made its rally, Shenandoah turned the ball over five times and missed all six of its attempts from the field.

Jared Carithers paced the Hornets with 17 points. Eli McEathron and Dante Seriale added nine each in support of Carithers.

Daniel Eacho and Andrew Daniels had 24 and 17, respectively, for the victors.

RC got itself back into the contest on the strength of a 45-30 advantage on the glass and outscoring the Hornets 26-13 at the charity stripe.

SU hosts Randolph-Macon on Wednesday at 7:00 in the squad's final home game of the season.

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