HARRISONBURG, VA --- One bad stretch cost EMU's women Tuesday night at home, dropping a 69-60 decision to Lynchburg College in the ODAC opener for both teams. It was a surprisingly key game considering how early in the year it occurred, as the two opponents were the favorites in the ODAC Preseason Poll.
After losing in the last spring's ODAC Championship game, the Hornets (3-2) were tabbed as the league's top team in the coach's vote before the season. Eastern Mennonite (also 3-2), winners of the last four regular season crowns, were picked to finish second in the ODAC.
Due to the league's unbalanced schedule, this is the only meeting this year between the two heavyweights.
The game started at a break neck pace with the Royals leading 10-8 less than two minutes into play. Myneshia Walker (Freeman, Va./Brunswick) cashed in a pair of free throws to push the lead back up to 15-11 at the 6:29 mark of the first period.
LC used a 12-3 run to get in front by five, but Jess Rheinheimer (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) scored the final four points of frame to cut the deficit to 23-22.
Neither team carried any momentum into the second, as it took two minutes for either to score. A Rheinheimer layup knotted things up at 28-28 at the 4:58 mark. But the Royals scored just two more points until halftime, as Lynchburg methodically ended on an 11-2 run to lead 39-30 at the break.
The Hornets led by as many as 16 in the third period after an offensive putback made it 49-33. Eastern Mennonite closed the frame on a 9-3 run to gain a little momentum, getting within 55-45 when freshman Lindsey Krisak (Alexandria, Va./Edison) hit a jumper as time expired.
The fourth went back-and-forth, with the longest run by either team being three points. LC's cushion stayed between eight and 12 points the entire period, as Walker's three pointer with 51 seconds left provided the final scoring in a 69-60 loss.
Shooting percentages were essentially even, with Lynchburg winning it on their extra chances. EMU was out-rebounded 40-34, including 17-12 on the offensive glass. Turnovers were also a problem, as the women committed to 17 compared to just 11 by the Hornets.
Rheinheimer, the reigning ODAC Player of the Year, led all players with 23 points. Walker scored 14 points on just six shots, going 2-3 from long range and adding 6-of-8 free throws. Krisak finished with 10. Shaneyea Conwell (Newport News, Va./Warwick) led EMU with seven rebounds.
Forwards Chaney Forbush and Caroline Naumann led Lynchburg. Forbush was good for 20 points, eight rebounds and two blocks, while Naumann had 15 points and 12 boards.
Eastern Mennonite steps back out of conference play this weekend, playing at Ferrum Saturday afternoon at 2:00pm.