HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – It was a busy weekend for EMU Women’s Basketball as they played their second home game in as many days on Sunday, entertaining Hood College in Yoder Arena. The Royals surged to a lead as big as 16 early in the fourth quarter and then fended off a furious rally from the Blazers to pick up the 59-52 victory.

This marked the sixth win in a row for the Royals, the team’s longest winning streak since the 2016-17 squad rattle off eight consecutive victories from Jan. 21-Feb. 14 of that season. It is EMU’s best start through the first seven games of the season since the 2014-15 Royals also began their campaign at 6-1.

Jeriyah Osborne led the Royals with 20 points on 8-of-17 shooting from the field, including 3-of-5 from beyond the arc. Osborne has scored in double figures in all but one game this year. Grace Burke also reached double figures with 15 points, going 4-of-7 from three-point land. Laila Glymph and Jayda Jones tacked on six points apiece.

Chanelle Lee paced the Blazers with 19 points on 8-of-15 shooting, significantly less than the 34 points she scored against the Royals last year.

Records: EMU 6-1 | Hood 0-5

Highlights
First Quarter
Osborne opened the scoring with a floating jumpshot on EMU’s opening possession, but Hood then tallied the next seven points to take a 7-2 lead. Glymph got the Royals within one on a pair of layups. However, Hood closed out the first quarter with a 7-0 run over the final 3:21 of the frame to go out front 14-6 after 10 minutes.

Second Quarter
The dormant Royals offense woke up in the second quarter, outscoring the Blazers 17-8 in the period. Like the first quarter, Osborne got things going with a layup, followed by a three-pointer from Jones. After a Lee layup for Hood, Jayla Gray, Lauren Townsend, and Kaylene Todd took turns nailing two-point baskets. Maya Gordon edged Hood back out front 18-17 for what proved to be the Blazers’ final lead of the day. Townsend, Glymph, and Todd each made layups to close out the Royals’ scoring in the second for a narrow 23-22 halftime lead.

Third Quarter
Osborne took over the game in the third quarter, accounting for the Royals’ first 10 points of the second half. Burke also performed well for EMU in the third, nailing back-to-back three-pointers to set up the Royals with a 39-32 lead at through three quarters.

Fourth Quarter
The Royals controlled the opening five minutes of the fourth, going on a 14-3 run over that five-minute span. But the visiting Blazers made the game close with a 9-0 run over a 3:03 time span to get within seven at 53-46. The Royals made enough plays down the stretch, with Osborne and Jones scoring three points each in the final 1:08 to help secure the victory.

Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Osborne (20)
Rebounds: Gray (8)
Assists: Townsend, Todd, Burke (3)
Steals: Osborne (4)
Blocks: Four players tied with 1

What’s Next
The EMU Women’s Basketball team will open up ODAC play this Tuesday, Nov. 26, when they take on Shenandoah University inside Yoder Arena. Tip-off against the Hornets is scheduled for 7 p.m.

— EMU Athletics —