BRIDGEWATER, VA --- Needing one win over their final two games to clinch the top seed in next week's ODAC Tournament, the Royals took care of business Tuesday night. In a big way. EMU used an early 18-2 run to take control in Bridgewater's Nininger Hall, beating the Eagles 77-54.
The 23-point margin was the largest against Eastern Mennonite's rival in at least a decade. The win also gives the women an 11-game winning streak, just one shy of the program record of 12 in a row from the 1984-85 season.
The Royals are now 18-5 overall and 14-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. They will be the ODAC Tournament's top seed and have secured a spot in the quarterfinals, which start next week Thursday in Salem, VA. EMU wraps up the regular season at home this Saturday, playing Hollins at 2:00pm. It is Senior Recognition Game, as well as a Cancer Awareness Event.
Bridgewater held an early 4-3 lead Tuesday, before the women pounded the paint and scored the next eight to take the lead. BC got a jumper to fall before the Royals scored another ten in a row to zip ahead 21-6.
The lead stretched to 33-12 when Keyla Baltimore (Bristow, VA/Brentsville District) hit a shot with 5:58 left in the half. The Eagles settled down and ended the half on a 13-6 run, making the score 39-25 at the break. But Eastern Mennonite scored the first 11 points of the second half to blow out to a 50-25 cushion and never looked back.
The Royals connected on 30 of their 60 shot attempt for 50%, while holding Bridgewater to just 33%. The women also grabbed 18 offensive rebounds and have a 52-33 command of the boards.
Baltimore was key in getting the ball rolling and scored 10 of her 12 points in the first half. The point guard also had three steals. Alisa Brown (Dumfries, VA/Forest Park) topped EMU with 13 points and four steals, as five Royals scored in double figures. High school teammate Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, VA/Forest Park) notched a double double with 11 points and 10 rebounds.
Steph Rheinheimer (Manheim, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) buried a trio of triples and had 11 points. Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) finished with 10 points and seven boards. Kala Yoders (Myerstown, PA/Eastern Lebanon County) added eight points and seven boards, while Jess Rheinheimer (Manheim, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) was good for eight rebounds and a game high four assists.
Holly Morgan (Staunton, VA/Buffalo Gap) led Bridgewater (13-10/10-5 ODAC) with 18 points and four steals. Jessica Mullen (Purcellville, VA/Loudoun Valley) had 12 points and three steals.