Royals to Face Randolph-Macon in Semifinals

SALEM, Va. --- Eastern Mennonite gave up a 16-point first half lead, but got three offensive rebounds on their final possession and Eli Crawford (Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) got the game-winning putback with 1.8 seconds left. Hampden-Sydney missed a halfcourt shot at the buzzer and EMU escaped with a 76-75 win in the ODAC Quarterfinals.

The Runnin Royals will play in Saturday's semifinals, taking on second-seeded Randolph-Macon at 8:00pm at the Salem Civic Center. R-MC had its own scare but got past #7 Roanoke, 63-56.

The Royals scored first and jumped to a 26-10 lead after Eli Crawford(Staunton, Va./R.E. Lee) hit a layup just 7:31 into the game. EMU forced eight Tiger turnovers before committing one of their own.

Hampden-Sydney slowly chipped into the lead and got it down to seven heading into halftime, getting a steal and dunk just before the buzzer sounded. The Runnin Royals led 44-37 after the first period.

The Tigers started the second half strong and took over the lead. The two teams then traded one-point leads until EMU took it over on their final possession.

After a defensive stand, the men needed all of their three offensive boards to get the win. ODAC Player of the Year Todd Phillips (Waynesboro, Va./Waynesboro) took the first crack at the hoop, missing a shot as he was triple teamed.

Orie Pancione (Augusta, WV/Hampshire) grabbed an offensive board and tossed it out to D.J. Hinson(Newport News, Va./Menchville) who missed a deep three-pointer. Crawford was surpisingly open after an offensive board and missed the shot. But he recovered the ball and hit the game-winner with 1.8 to go.

It's the second year in a row that the Runnin Royals have advanced to the ODAC semifinals.

Hinson led EMU with 17 points, but Crawford's final two of his 15 looked the biggest. Phillips labored his way to 14 points and added five assists and four steals.

Pancione tied for the game high with 13 rebounds, including seven offensive boards. Sophomore Andrew Thorne (Front Royal, Va./Skyline) added 12 points off the bench.

Hampden-Sydney's Ru White led all players with 23. All-ODAC First Teamer Harrison George notched a double double with 20 points and 13 rebounds.

No. 11 EMU moves to 22-4 with the win. The Tigers finish the season at 17-10.

This release is courtesy of the Eastern Mennonite University sports information department.