WINCHESTER, Va. – Visiting Methodist University used a strong first half to down Shenandoah University, 82-76, in the opening game of the Shenandoah Christmas Tournament Friday afternoon at the James R. Wilkins, Jr. Athletics & Events Center.
 
Shenandoah (3-7) outscored its former USA South rivals by four points in the second half, but it was not enough to overcome the 10-point halftime deficit.

IN BRIEF

Methodist (6-4) advances to the championship game to take on PSU-Altoona. The Lions defeated Southern Virginia, 70-58, in the second game of the day.
 
In consideration of Methodist's travel distance, the Monarchs will play PSU-A in a 3 p.m. championship game Saturday. The consolation game between SU and SVU will follow at 5 p.m.
 
MU led virtually throughout and took the lead for good following a Sam Mingledoff 3-pointer 3:18 into the contest.
 
After falling behind by 10 points, 28-18, midway through the first, Shenandoah reeled off an 11-3 run in a span of 3:37 to cut the deficit to two, 31-29, with 6:39 left.
 
Unfortunately for the Hornets, Methodist answered with an 8-0 run of its own to push the advantage back to 10 points heading into the half.
 
The second half deficit grew to 15 points and stood at 11 with 1:48 to play when Shenandoah gave it one last shot. The Hornets scored nine of the next 10 points of the game in just 49 seconds to make it a one-possession game, 77-74, with 40 seconds remaining.
 
Methodist then hit four of five shots from the line to ice the victory.
 
Christopher Chaney and Jalen Hill both had double-doubles for the Hornets. Chaney, with 25 points, led all scorers and he is 24 points from the 1000-point mark.

BY THE NUMBERS

Shooting: SU 31-of-69, 45 percent. MU: 31-of-61, 51 percent
3-point shooting: SU 1-of-19, 21 percent. MU: 6-of-20, 30 percent
FT shooting: SU 10-of-17, 59 percent. MU: 14-of-18, 78 percent
Rebounds: SU 42, Methodist 31

Individual:

Scoring:
            SU: Christopher Chaney 25, Jalen Hill 13, Chris Oates 11
            MU: Garren Dearman 24, Calvin Manley 17, Sam Mingledoff 14
Rebounding:
            SU: Chaney 12, Hill 10
            MU: Manley 7
 
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