HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – The Runnin’ Royals opened their 2025-26 home slate on Wednesday, welcoming in the Fighting Squirrels of Mary Baldwin.

After being tied at 35 through the first 20 minutes, Mary Baldwin shot 50% from the field and outscored EMU 44-31 in the second half, en route to a 79-66 win.

Records: EMU 0-2, 0-0 ODAC | Mary Baldwin 1-1, 0-0 USA South

Highlights

First Half
The Royals opened the game on a 10-2 run in the first six and a half minutes, picking up four points from Aaron Brooks and two apiece from Zach Bailey, Jazen Walker and Isaiah Carr. EMU would continue to hold a lead throughout the half, with MBU cutting it to one at the 8:03 and 7:28 marks. But EMU responded with a 6-0 tilt, with Walker, Carr and BJ Nkrumah each adding two points, extending EMU’s lead to seven. Mary Baldwin once again cut EMU’s lead to one with just under three minutes left in the half, before Brooks’ layup put it back to three with 1:27 to play. A late three from the Fighting Squirrels tied things at 35 and neither team was able break the tie before the half.

Second Half
MBU went on a 5-0 run to start the second half, before a layup from Walker and a Brooks free throw cut EMU’s deficit to two. Midway through the half, after a Hezekiah Brown layup pulled the Royals within four, Mary Baldwin extended their lead to 16 with a 15-3 run over a four minute span. Nkrumah’s three stopped the MBU tilt, but EMU wasn’t able to get any closer than 13, with 2:54 remaining. The Fighting Squirrels pushed their lead to 19 with back-to-back threes, but the Royals were able to end the game on a 10-4 run, including eight points from Brooks over the final 1:25 of the game. A pair of free throws from Carr gave EMU their final points of the game.

Statistical Leaders
Points: Brooks (21), Carr (12), Nkrumah (11)
Rebounds: Carr (10)
Assists: Brooks (4)

What’s Next
EMU is off for the next six days, before returning to the court next Tuesday when they take on Southern Virginia in Buena Vista. Tipoff against the Knights is set for 7:00 pm.

— EMU Athletics —