WINCHESTER, Va. – Shenandoah University Head Men's Basketball Coach Adam Walsh earned his first win as the Hornets head coach with a 77-66 non-league win over St. Mary's of Maryland Friday evening.

Shenandoah (1-1) trailed by 10 points to the Seahawks (1-1) midway through the first half, but roared back to take a two-point halftime lead and then outscored the 'Hawks by nine points over the final 20 minutes.

Sophomore Jalyn Jarrett began the Hornets comeback by canning a pair of free throws with 7:25 remaining in the first. This started a 21-9 run for Walsh' club to finish the first half with senior Aaron Patterson giving SU its first lead since the opening possession of the game on a 3-pointer with 2:41 left.

Patterson, who led all scorers with 22 points, had 11 of those points during this half-closing run.

SMCM opened the second half on a 12-7 run of its own, but this proved to be the 'Hawks high-water mark.

Shenandoah answered with nine straight points in 90 seconds, capped by two Seth Myers free throws, and never trailed again.

Leading by four points in the final minute, SU clinched the win by making all seven of its shots from the charity stripe.

Walsh' club was 21-for-25 (84 percent) from the line for the game.

In addition to Patterson's 22, Jonah Meredith had 13 and Kwa McDonald 11 for the victors.

Meredith was a perfect 9-for-9 from the foul line.

Shenandoah also off-set a 54-43 rebounding deficit by outscoring the 'Hawks 38-32 in the paint and 44-23 off the bench.

Both teams were 25-for-71 (35 percent) from the field.

"Two game goals that we accomplished tonight were 22 forced turnovers and 84 percent from the line," Walsh said. "We accomplished five of our game goals and that should equal a win. Tonight it did. It was to be bounce back from that opening loss."

The Hornets play the first of two DI opponents this season with a Tuesday exhibition at William & Mary. Opening tip is scheduled for 7 p.m.

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