WINCHESTER, Va. – Junior guard
Joshua Stephen delivered his third career game-winning shot on Saturday afternoon, lifting the Shenandoah University men's basketball team to a thrilling 53–51 overtime victory against Eastern Mennonite University in ODAC play.
Stephen, a starter for the Hornets (6–7, 1–3 ODAC), took the ball with five seconds remaining in overtime and hit a step-back jumper over the Royals' (3–8, 0–3) defense as the buzzer sounded to secure the win. The guard previously hit game-winners against Lynchburg during the 2022–23 season and at Messiah the following year.
RECAP
The game opened with
Shamir Taylor connecting on a three-pointer to give Shenandoah a 3–0 lead. Both teams struggled offensively in the early minutes until
Davion Roberts converted a fast-break layup to extend the Hornets' lead to 5–0.
Shenandoah's defense stifled the Royals, holding them scoreless for the first six minutes while forcing three turnovers. EMU's Peyton Lewis finally broke through, hitting back-to-back three-pointers to give the visitors a one-point lead.
The advantage was short-lived, as a block by
Elia Morandotti led to a three-pointer from
Kellen Tyson, reclaiming the lead for SU. Four points from Stephen extended the Hornets' lead to six midway through the first half.
EMU responded, tying the low-scoring ODAC matchup at 17 in the closing minutes of the half. A late three-pointer from Taylor and a layup by Samuel Daily sent Shenandoah into the break with a slight advantage.
The second half opened with the Royals on a 7–2 run, taking a 29–27 lead. Tyson answered for the Hornets, tying the contest before EMU reclaimed a narrow advantage. Taylor's three-pointer pushed SU back in front in the back-and-forth affair.
Both teams exchanged leads in the latter stages, with EMU holding a five-point edge late in regulation. A clutch jumper from Daily in the paint tied the game, forcing overtime.
EMU struck first in the extra period, converting a pair of free throws. Nearly three minutes in, Daily again delivered, tying the score. The Royals' final points came with 1:16 remaining on their only field goal of overtime.
Gavin Bizyak's game-tying layup was followed by a critical defensive stop for SU. Roberts secured the rebound, his 11th of the game, setting up the dramatic finish.
Head coach
Nick Doyle called two timeouts in the final 16 seconds to set up the final play. Stephen took the ball in isolation, dribbled towards the basket, and delivered the game-winning step-back jumper at the buzzer.
Stephen finished the game with six points, six rebounds, and two steals. Taylor led all scorers with 21 points, while Bizyak recorded a career-high 14 rebounds.
UP NEXT
Shenandoah returns home on Wednesday for a 7 p.m. ODAC matchup against Ferrum College.
#GoSUHornets
