LEXINGTON, VA --- The EMU basketball women outscored host Washington and Lee 45-36 in the second half Tuesday night, securing a 72-67 win in Lexington. The Royals watched their 13-point lead nearly evaporate over the final three minutes, but made just enough free throws to improve to 16-4 overall and 10-1 in the ODAC.
Over a tight first half, the Generals led by as many as eight points thanks to some timely outside shots. W&L was up at halftime, 32-26.
Eastern Mennonite shot 0-for-8 from three point range over the first 20 minutes, but quickly made up for that in the second. Marla zumFelde (Goshen, Ind./Bethany Christian) canned three long range shots in the span of just 1:30, spearheading an 11-4 run which put the women in front, 39-37.
A 9-0 run moments later gave EMU a 50-41 lead just 7:31 into the second, as they started the half on a 24-9 tear.
The Royals led by as many as 13 points, the final time when Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, Pa./Penn Manor) hit a jumper to make it 68-55 with 3:23 left to play. The women then went cold, and made just 2-of-5 free throws as Washington and Lee got within 70-67 with four seconds remaining. But zumFelde closed the door by hitting a pair of free throws with three ticks left, providing the final 72-67 margin.
Eastern Mennonite shot 58% from the floor in the crucial second half, and out-shot the Generals 49% to 47%. The women also had a huge 38-26 rebounding advantage, but Washington and Lee kept close by going 8-18 from three point range.
Ygarza and Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, Va./Forest Park) had their way inside, co-leading the Royals with 16 points each. Ygarza had eight rebounds and Sykes grabbed seven. ZumFelde had all three of EMU's three pointers and scored 11.
Nora Osei (Springfield, Va./West Springfield) didn't miss a shot and finished with eight points and four rebounds off the bench. Keyla Baltimore (Bristow, Va./Brentsville District) had four assists.
Annie Gauf led the Generals with 22 points, including four triples, and five assists.
The Royals have now won 10 or more ODAC games in five straight seasons. Winners of seven straight, the women stay on the road this Saturday, playing at Randolph College in Lynchburg at 4:30pm.