WINCHESTER, Va. — The Shenandoah University men's basketball team scored at least 80 points in back-to-back games for the first time since the 2018–19 season, defeating Messiah University 80–48 on Friday evening at home.
Four Hornets (2-2) reached double figures in scoring in the win over the Falcons (0-3), with Dorian Davis leading all scorers with 17 points.
RECAP
The game began with Joshua Stephen finding a cutting Marcus NeSmith for an easy layup, marking the first bucket of the evening. Over the next six minutes, Shenandoah maintained its momentum, jumping out to a commanding 19-2 lead. During this 17-0 run, Stephen converted a tough and-one, while Dorian Davis and Ellis Wright each added a three-pointer.
A five-second violation by the Falcons, followed by a steal from Davis, helped the Hornets extend their lead to 20 points with just over eight minutes remaining in the first half. SU entered halftime with a 22-point advantage, capped by a three-pointer from Shamir Taylor off a steal by Landon Russ.
NeSmith scored the first two buckets of the second half for the Hornets, preserving the 22-point margin. He finished the game with a career-high 15 points on 6-for-8 shooting, including three three-pointers.
Three-point shots from Russ and Wright helped SU build a 31-point lead just five and a half minutes into the second half. The Falcons responded with a 9-2 run to reduce the deficit to 23, but NeSmith and Russ each drained another three-pointer to push the lead back to 27.
The Hornets' lead remained under 30 points for most of the second half until Chase Ambrosius hit his first career three-pointer on an inbound pass from Elia Morandotti in the final 30 seconds, sealing the 80-48 victory.
Shenandoah's defense forced 15 turnovers and held Messiah to 16.7% shooting from beyond the arc (4-for-24). The Falcons also struggled from the free-throw line, converting just 4-of-11 attempts.
Davis led the team with seven rebounds and tied Russ with a game-high four steals. Both Davis and Stephen dished out five assists. Wright came off the bench to lead all reserves with 13 points.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah has a week off before traveling to Southern Virginia University for a 4 p.m. non-conference game.
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