HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – Before leaving for the Thanksgiving break, the EMU Women’s Basketball team had business to take care of, defending their home court against their guest from Mary Baldwin. It was all Royals from the opening tip to the final horn, cruising to a 90-43 victory over the Fighting Squirrels.
All 13 players who suited up for the Royals scored at least one point, with four players putting up double figures. Emma Johnson, a first-year from Burlington, N.C., led the way with 14 points on 5-of-8 shooting from the field, most notably going 4-of-5 on her three-point attempts. Jeriyah Osborne was not far behind with 13 points. In her first career start, Jazmyn Taylor scored 12 points, going an impressive 6-of-7 from the floor. Jada Waller, a first-year from Roanoke, Va., chipped in 11 points.
This was the first time EMU scored at least 90 points in a game since a 96-25 home win over Trinity Washington back on Dec. 2, 2017.
Lanie Bethel was a bright spot on an otherwise rough night for Mary Baldwin, scoring 10 points.
Records: EMU 4-4, 0-0 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 1-5, 1-0 USA South
Highlights
First Quarter
The Royals quickly seized control of the contest, going on a 7-0 run over the opening 3:07. Grace Burke contributed four of those points with a three-pointer and a free throw. Mary Baldwin got as close as 10-5 before EMU went on an 11-0 run that included three three-pointers, two from Waller and one from Lauren Townsend. Burke punctuated the opening period with two free throws to give EMU a nice 23-7 lead.
Second Quarter
EMU picked up right where they left, going a 9-0 run over the first 3:47 of the second quarter. Osborne got things going with a driving layup, followed by a Lexie Dingus layup, a Taylor floating jumpshot, and an Osborne three-pointer. Following a Fighting Squirrels free throw, the Royals went on another rally, scoring the next 13 points unanswered. A Waller jump shot was followed by back-to-back threes from Emma Johnson. Meredith Atkinson then found the score sheet with a layup, followed by a Kaylene Todd free throw and a layup by Jakayla Johnson. Bethel got a traditional three-point play for Mary Baldwin, but Atkinson countered with a two-point jumper to give the Royals a sizeable 47-11 cushion at the break.
Third Quarter
The second half started with the two sides trading baskets before EMU commenced a 10-0 run that lasted 3:19 of game time. Dingus got the streak going with a driving layup, followed by consecutive layups by Anabelle Simmons. Lauren Mayn drilled a free throw, and Emma Johnson sank a three-pointer to put EMU up 68-20. The Fighting Squirrels scored the final six points of the quarter, but the Royals had the game well in hand with a 68-26 lead.
Fourth Quarter
EMU kept the ball rolling with a 9-2 run to start the fourth quarter, a sequence that included an Osborne driving layup, a three-point play by Waller, and two driving layups by Taylor. The two sides mostly traded baskets the rest of the way, emptying the bench to get players more game experience.
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: E. Johnson (14)
Rebounds: Townsend (8)
Assists: Todd (4)
Steals: Osborne, Townsend, J. Johnson, E. Johnson (2)
Blocks: Osborne, Dingus, J. Johnson, Linton, Waller (1)
What’s Next
EMU Women’s Basketball’s players and coaches will now head home for the Thanksgiving break. Their season resumes on Wednesday, Dec. 2 with their ODAC opener at Randolph Macon. Opening tip in Ashland is scheduled for 7 p.m.
— EMU Athletics —
