Shenandoah (7-7 overall, 3-2 USA South) held a seven-point lead at the half, but had to hold on as Ferrum (7-9, 1-4) took a one-point lead with 3:24 to play.
Although leading scorer Chris Rhone was held in single digits (seven points) for the first time in his career, fellow backcourt mate Kenneth Purnell was more than there to pick up the slack.
Purnell had a game high 27 points, including 15 in the first half, as SU won for the first time since the 2000 season at Ferrum. Shenandoah is now 4-11 lifetime at Ferrum since joining the USA South (Dixie) in 1993.
Although the Hornets led by as many as 12 in the second half, FC got itself back into the game with an 8-0 run from the 7:43 to 3:24 marks. The Panthers took there only lead of the half at that point when Doug Griffy putback his own missed foul shot. Unfortunately for the hosts, this lead was short-lived.
SU raced back down the floor and after Purnell hit two of his 10 free throws on the night, the Hornets had the lead for good. Ferrum got itself back to within on with 1:15 remaining, but Kendrick Holley missed a jumper and Rhone pulled down the rebound.
After Rhone hit two free throws 26 seconds later, the game was effectively over. FC had one more shot, but Holley's 10-footer came up short.
A complete box score and play by play can be found at http://www.su.edu/athletics/mb/200304/012804.htm
Shenandoah hosts Greensboro Saturday in another USA South Conference matchup.
Newspaper Box Score Shenandoah vs Ferrum 1/28/04 5:30 at Swartz Gymnasium - Ferrum, Va. At Swartz Gymnasium - Ferrum, Va. SHENANDOAH 76, FERRUM 71 SHENANDOAH (7-7, 3-2) PURNELL, Kenneth 7-15 10-10 27; JENKINS, Chris 4-5 1-2 11; MYERS, Lenny 4-7 0-0 8; RHONE, Chris 2-10 3-4 7; BRASHEARS, Chad 2-3 0-0 6; CAMP, Halston 3-4 0-0 6; ONUNAKU, Onyie 1-5 3-3 5; BRODIE, James 1-4 2-2 4; YAMOAH, Stephen 1-1 0-0 2. Totals 25-54 19-21 76. FERRUM (7-9, 1-4) AIGBE, Kevin 8-13 8-9 24; HOLLEY, Kendrick 8-16 2-2 18; SMITH, Chris 4-13 2-2 12; JONES, Darrian 3-8 2-5 10; EVERETTE, Lance 2-6 0-0 4; GRIFFY, Doug 1-3 1-2 3; MELVIN, Kirk 0-3 0-0 0; KENT, Kobe 0-5 0-0 0. Totals 26-67 15-20 71. Shenandoah.................... 35 41 - 76 Ferrum........................ 28 43 - 71 3-point goals-Shenandoah 7-16 (PURNELL, Kenneth 3-7; BRASHEARS, Chad 2-3; JENKINS, Chris 2-3; RHONE, Chris 0-2; MYERS, Lenny 0-1), Ferrum 4-17 (JONES, Darrian 2-5; SMITH, Chris 2-5; EVERETTE, Lance 0-1; MELVIN, Kirk 0-2; KENT, Kobe 0-2; HOLLEY, Kendrick 0-1; AIGBE, Kevin 0-1). Fouled out--Shenandoah-None, Ferrum-None. Rebounds-Shenandoah 34 (PURNELL, Kenneth 7), Ferrum 41 (AIGBE, Kevin 11). Assists-Shenandoah 14 (RHONE, Chris 3; PURNELL, Kenneth 3), Ferrum 15 (HOLLEY, Kendrick 3; AIGBE, Kevin 3; EVERETTE, Lance 3). Total fouls-Shenandoah 15, Ferrum 13. A-263