For immediate release – 2/1/2012 - #208

Nate Campbell Breaks 1,000 Mark but Hornets Fall to EMU in OT 78-75

HARRISONBURG, VA – Senior forward Nate Campbell became the 20th player in Lynchburg College men's basketball history to break the 1,000 point barrier Wednesday night, but unfortunately the Hornets fell 78-75 at Eastern Mennonite University in overtime.

The first half was tight the entire 20 minutes.  The Hornets had their biggest lead of the game at 12-6, and after several lead changes and seven ties, the Royals finished the half ahead 41-36. EMU led by as many as 12 in the second half and were ahead 60-49 with 10 minutes left.  The Hornet defense allowed just two points over the next seven minutes and took a 63-62 lead after a 14-2 run. Campbell joined the Hornet 1,000-point club during this surge, drilling a three-pointer with 7:48 remaining. LC trailed 67-66 with just three seconds left but senior Tucker Lucas nailed two free throws to put LC up one.  Following a Hornet foul with one second on the clock, EMU made one of two shots from the charity stripe to force overtime.

The game was tied late in overtime and each team missed opportunities in the final minute before the Royals gained possession to close out the five minute-overtime period. Adam Burroughs drilled a three-pointer with four seconds left to lift the home team to victory.  

Campbell's 19 points were a game-high and he also grabbed a team-high nine rebounds. He entered the game with 985 points and netted 10 points in the first half and hit a jumper early in the second half. Junior forward Michael Wims scored 14 points, hauled in eight rebounds and added three steals while Lucas had 11 points, including five in overtime. Austin Chillemi posted eight points and eight rebounds and Brandan Connor tallied six points, seven rebounds and five steals.

RJ Sims paced the Royals (9-11/4-7 ODAC) with 15 points and 10 rebounds. Owen Longacre had 12 points and nine boards while Andrew Thorne had 12 points and seven caroms.

The Hornets (12-9/6-6 ODAC) travel to Bridgewater College Saturday for another ODAC game at 2 p.m.

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