The Runnin Royals controlled the second half Sunday afternoon, dumping in 50 points in the period to roll to an 83-72 win over Marymount University. Eastern Mennonite improves to 4-0 with the win.
The men jumped to a 9-2 lead, but then watched the Saints score the next six points to make it a ball game. Marymount had a couple of two-point leads before the teams sailed into halftime tied at 33-33.
The Runnin Royals made quick adjustments at halftime and scored the first six points coming out of the break. They continued the run by attacking the basket, scoring their first 14 points on layups or dunks and springing to a 47-37 lead.
The cushion grew to as many as 16 points when Andrew Thorne (Front Royal, VA/Skyline) canned a three pointer to make it 62-46 just nine minutes into the period.
Marymount regrouped and slowly chipped into the lead, getting as close as seven points in the final minute. But the Royals scored the final four points of the contest to lock up the 11-point win.
Thorne had his second straight 25-point outing, going 11-14 from the floor. The senior added eight rebounds, including five offensive, to lead EMU in that category as well.
Four other men scored in double figures, led by R.J. Sims (Fort Washington, MD/Friendly) with 12 points. Ryan Yates (Alexandria, VA/T.C. Williams) earned his first start and responded with 11 points, six assists, six rebounds and four steals. Dorian Valentine (Bassett, VA/Carlisle) finished with 11 counters and Owen Longacre (Telford, PA/Christopher Dock) added 10.
Most team statistics were relatively even between the two squads, except for shooting. The Royals finished with a 57% clip, including 70% in the second half, while Marymount shot 46%.
After starting the year with four straight wins in Yoder Arena, Eastern Mennonite hits the road this weekend to open their ODAC slate. The Royals play at Guilford in a men’s/women’s doubleheader on Wednesday, playing the late game at 7:30pm. They play at Roanoke on Saturday.