EMORY, VA --- EMU's basketball women were in control from the opening tip of an 83-51 win at Emory & Henry Saturday afternoon.  The women scored the first 13 points of the game and improved to 15-5 with their eighth straight win.  The Royals are also 11-1 in the ODAC, and tied with Guilford for first in the league standings.

Against the Wasps, Eastern Mennonite's smothering defense gave them the upper hand with a steal on EHC's opening possession.  The Royals didn't allow Emory & Henry a single point until the 13:23 mark, a stretch of 6:37.

Emory & Henry chiseled to within seven points, but Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, VA/Forest Park) scored EMU's final 10 points of the half and they rolled into the break with a 36-19 lead.  The Wasps never threatened in the second half.

Sykes led a balanced attack with 16 points and seven rebounds in just 13 minutes of playing time.  Steph Rheinheimer (Manheim, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) canned 3-of-4 three pointers and finished with 13 points.

Kala Yoders (Myerstown, PA/Eastern Lebanon County) had 11 points, six rebounds and three steals.  Kayley Argenbright (Fishersville, VA/Wilson Memorial) didn't miss a shot in her five minutes on the floor and notched a career high 11 points.  Keyla Baltimore (Bristow, VA/Brentsville District) dished out six assists.

Eastern Mennonite over-powered EHC by shooting 50% as a team.  The Wasps only hit 30%.  The Royals were also hot from outside, nailing 8-of-12 triples.

The women now close the season by playing three of their final four games in Yoder Arena.  That stretch starts with Randolph-Macon on Tuesday night.