ASHLAND, Va. (EMU Athletics) – After a long Thanksgiving weekend, the EMU Women’s Basketball team got back on the court, making the trip to Hanover County to take on defending ODAC Champion Randolph Macon. The Yellow Jackets played well on their home court, handing the Royals a 67-40 defeat.

Jeriyah Osborne put forth a good effort on the night. The sophomore from Lynchburg scored 10 points and pulled down nine rebounds, finishing one rebound shy of a double-double. Jada Waller, a first-year from Roanoke, co-led Osborne in scoring with 10 points of her own. This was Waller’s second straight game in double figures and third overall this season.

Randolph Macon had three players score double-digit points, led by McKenzie Matheny with 13 points.

Records: EMU 4-5, 0-1 ODAC | Randolph Macon 5-2, 1-0 ODAC

Highlights
First Quarter
Randolph Macon scored the first nine points unanswered. It took nearly four minutes for EMU to get their first point of the night on a Jazmyn Taylor free throw. But then, the momentum turned in the favor of the Royals. After two Yellow Jacket free throws, EMU went on an 8-0 run to draw within two at 11-9. Osborne got the Royals rolling with a three-pointer at the 5:09 mark, followed by another shot from beyond the arc by Waller. Anabelle Simmons added a contested short-range jump shot to complete the run. The Yellow Jackets got the last basket of the period on a three-pointer to make it a 14-9 game after the first period.

Second Quarter
The Royals tallied the first four points of the period, courtesy of two free throws from Simmons and a Waller layup. That scoring spurt got EMU within one at 14-13. Randolph Macon responded with four points of their own, but then Taylor sank two free throws to make the score 18-15 at the second quarter media timeout. The Yellow Jackets created some separation, outscoring the Royals 11-4 in the final 4:39 of the half to go up 29-19 at the break.

Third Quarter
EMU got the first bucket of the second half on an Osborne driving layup to get the deficit back down to single digits. However, Randolph Macon took control with a 12-3 scoring run over the next 4:07 of action to open up a 17-point cushion, 41-24. The two teams traded baskets for the rest of the period with Randolph Macon maintaining their 17-point lead at 48-31.

Fourth Quarter
Simmons got the scoring started in the fourth with a jumper 31 seconds into the period, but Randolph Macon answered with an 11-2 run to put the game out of reach. Waller sank a three-pointer with 4:27 remaining to reach double figures. That turned out to be EMU’s last points of the game as the Randolph Macon scored the last eight points to wrap up the game.

Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Osborne, Waller (10)
Rebounds: Osborne (9)
Assists: Simmons (2)
Steals: Osborne (4)
Blocks: Osborne, Todd (1)

What’s Next
EMU Women’s Basketball will head out of state for their next ODAC game at Guilford on Saturday, Dec. 6. Tip-off in Greensboro is scheduled for 2 p.m.

— EMU Athletics —