HARRISONBURG, VA --- A rough start against a tough opponent was too much for the EMU women to overcome Saturday afternoon, as they dropped a 72-66 decision at home to Ferrum College. The Royals trailed by as many as 19 points in the first half before rallying in the second, although they couldn't get closer than four points.
For the first five minutes of the game, Eastern Mennonite played even with Ferrum, an NCAA Tournament qualifier last year. But then they faltered, as the Panthers efficiently executed their way to a 38-19 lead with two minutes left in the half, using a 28-8 run over 13 minutes of play.
EMU trailed 41-25 at halftime, and repeatedly had small second-half runs answered by Ferrum. With just 7:31 to play, the women still trailed 64-48. From there, point guard Keyla Baltimore (Bristow, VA/Brentsville District) got aggressive attacking the hoop and started a comeback from the free throw line. Baltimore scored four in a row from the stripe, and after a Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, VA/Forest Park) jumper, Baltimore hit one more free throw to cut the deficit to single digits for the first time since midway through the first half.
The defense picked up and during a two-minute span, Ferrum committed turnovers on five of six possessions. The Royals scored 12 straight points to slice the lead to four at 64-60 with 2:50 to go. However, the women also made just one of two free throws on their final three possessions of that run, and the misses came back to haunt them.
Ferrum scored the next three points to return the edge to 67-60 with 1:32 left. The Royals got back within four points when Kala Yoders (Myerstown, PA/Eastern Lebanon County) stole the ball and assisted Jess Rheinheimer (Manheim, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) on a layup with 25 seconds remaining. But that would be as close as EMU would get, as the visitors held on for the 72-66 decision.
The women shot just 38% in the loss, including 3-14 from long range. They also struggled from the free throw line, connecting on 15 of 26 tosses for 58%. Ferrum shot 47% from the floor and 16-for-27 from the charity stripe. The Panthers also had 23 assists on their 27 field goals. EMU did force 29 turnovers to 20 of their own.
Baltimore finished with team highs of 15 points and three assists. Rheinheimer added 14 and six rebounds. Yoders had 11 rebounds, eight points and five steals. Sykes contributed nine counters and seven rebounds off the bench. Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) was saddled with foul trouble and finished with just four points before fouling out.
The tough schedule to start the season continues next week, as the women (1-2) open their ODAC slate at last year's champion, Guilford. It will be their fourth straight game against a NCAA Tournament qualifier. The Royals play at 5:30pm on Wednesday in Greensboro, NC, preceding the men's game.