Men’s Basketball Handles Villa Julie

Hornets Dismantle Mustangs in Last Non-Conference Game

For More Information, Contact: Scott Musa, 540.665.5417

WINCHESTER, Va. -   The SU men’s basketball team improved its overall record to 12-11 Wednesday evening as the Hornets downed Villa Julie 91-78 in Shenandoah’s final non-league game of the season before 453 fans at Shingleton Gymnasium.

The Hornets were able to maintain their recently generated momentum as they tuned up for their final Dixie Conference weekend of the regular season with the 13 point win.  Three Hornets hit for at least 20 points as SU improved its lifetime mark to 6-0 against VJC.

Although never managing to surpass the Hornets for the lead, the Mustangs were able to knot the score at 40-40 with under a minute remaining in the first half.  However, junior Tyson Thompson (Keysville, Va./Randolph-Henry) once again came through for SU dropping in two of his career high 30 points with three seconds left to give Shenandoah a 42-40 halftime advantage.

The Hornets opened up the floodgates in the second half and pulled away from Villa Julie jumping ahead by 13 points with 14:57 left to play.  VJC would come no closer than 67-59 with 8:22 remaining as SU cruised to its second win in as many outings.

Brian Hubbard led the Mustangs with a 20 point performance while Mike Kastanakis added 15 and Chad Gibson and Melvin Bridges chipped in for 11 apiece.

In addition to Thompson’s outstanding evening, Shenandoah was powered by another double-double from junior Michael Atkins (Stephens City, Va./Sherando).  Atkins tied a career high with 24 points and added 14 rebounds.  Senior Ronald Merriwether ( Frankfurt, Germany/Giessen American) also added 21 points in the victory.

Box Score

The men will return to the court Saturday afternoon against Dixie Conference opponent Greensboro College.

Shenandoah University offers 16 intercollegiate sports, eight for men and eight for women. For further information, please contact the Office of Athletic Communications at 540-665-5417 or visit our web site at http://www.su.edu/athletics. For Dixie Conference Information, please visit the Dixie Conference home page: http://www.dixieconference.com.

Shenandoah University is a comprehensive Level V private university with an enrollment of approximately 2,500 students in five schools: School of Arts & Sciences, Harry F. Byrd Jr. School of Business, Shenandoah Conservatory, Bernard J. Dunn School of Pharmacy and the School of Health Professions (Athletic Training, Nursing, Physician Assistant, Respiratory Care, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy). The University offers more than 60 programs of study at the undergraduate, graduate and professional levels.