WINCHESTER, VA --- It was close for a few minutes.  But an early run gave EMU's basketball women a comfortable lead and they never let up, blowing by host Shenandoah 66-41 Wednesday night in Winchester.  The Royals scored first and never trailed as they improve to 18-3 overall and 12-1 in the ODAC, maintaining sole possession of first in the league standings.

The women lead both Randolph-Macon and Lynchburg College by one game in the league standings.  EMU hosts the Hornets Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm in Yoder Arena, and the winner will be in the driver's seat for the ODAC regular season title and the top seed in the upcoming ODAC Tournament.  LC beat the Royals in their previous meeting on Jan. 17, 70-66.

Eastern Mennonite scored the first four points against Shenandoah before SU tied it at 4-4.  Jess Rheinheimer (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) and Sa'Mone Moore (Covington, Va./Covington) hit back-to-back threes and the women were off the races.  They scored 10 in a row in a 2:12 span to jump ahead 14-4.

Rheinheimer put in a layup to make the lead 21-10 with 10:31 to play in the first, pushing the lead out of single digits for the final time.

EMU kept the Hornets scoreless for a stretch of more than six minutes as they blew open a 33-12 edge.  Shenandoah regained their composure and got within 36-20 by halftime.

A cold spell to start the second allowed SU to chip within 36-23, but then the Royals landed the final knockout.  A prolonged 28-9 run gave EMU the biggest lead of night at 64-32 with 8:02 remaining.  By then the benches had taken over play as the women rolled to the win.

Eastern Mennonite had a comfortable 42% to 32% shooting advantage and forced six more turnovers than they committed.  The women grabbed 17 offensive boards and dominated the glass, 47-36.

Rheinheimer finished with 20 points and 10 rebounds in just 23 minutes of playing time.  She and Moore each hit a trio of three pointers.  Moore finished with 14 points.  Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, Va./Forest Park) added 14 points, eight rebounds and four steals.  Alisa Brown (Dumfries, Va./Forest Park) handed out six assists.

Holly Chittendon led Shenandoah with 13 points, 12 rebounds, three steals and three assists.