FERRUM, VA --- A surge in the third gave EMU's women the lead, and they never let it go in earning a quality win at Ferrum College, 72-71, on Saturday afternoon. Eastern Mennonite had trailed by as many as 13 point in the first period against the Panthers, who were picked to finish second in the USA South Preseason Poll.
The Royals improve to 4-2 with the non-conference victory. Their next game is again outside of the ODAC, playing at Trinity (D.C.) next Wednesday.
EMU had a hot start against Ferrum, grabbing the opening tip and getting a three-point play from Myneshia Walker (Freeman, Va./Brunswick) just five seconds into play. Jess Rheinheimer (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) drilled a three pointer, bumping the lead to 6-2 only 53 seconds in.
The Panthers got inside for a few buckets and then caught fire from long range. Despite entering the game shooting only 24.3% from three point land, Ferrum hit six of their first eight long balls and jumped to a 32-19 lead early in the second.
The women responded by attacking the hoop and drawing fouls, eventually scoring the next 10 points to get back within 32-29. Ferrum held on and led 41-36 at halftime.
The home team scored the first five of the third period to push the edge back to double figures, but Eastern Mennonite kept on with their strategy. Center Jonae Guest (Dumfries, Va./Potomac) personally scored the next six points, and Rheinheimer hit back-to-back layups to cap a 12-1 run, putting the Royals in front 51-50. At the 1:43 mark of the third, it was EMU's first lead since the opening minute of the game.
Ferrum momentarily re-took the lead, but the women scored the final three of the period to lead 54-52.
Walker drained a three to give EMU their biggest lead of the day at 62-55 with 7:17 to play. The Panthers used a 7-2 spurt to get back within two points, but the Royals answered every time their hosts scored to stay in front.
Lindsey Krisak (Alexandria, Va./Edison) was fouled with 14 seconds left, but made just one of her two free throws to leave it a one possession game at 72-69. FC's Lindsay Martin drove to the hoop and hoped for a foul, but she got a clean layup as time expired, leaving the Royals with a one-point win.
The Panthers finished the game with a surprising 12-24 clip from long range, and out-shot EMU 53.1% to 42.6%. But the Royals earned their edge by going 20-31 from the free throw line, while Ferrum was only 7-11. The women also grabbed 13 offensive rebounds had a +5 turnover margin.
Rheinheimer scored 26 points to lead all players and tie her season high. The All-American has scored 23 or more points four times in six games this year. Walker made good on 7-of-9 free throws and tied her career high with 15 points.
Sa'Mone Moore (Covington, Va./Covington) had eight points and five assists. Jazmine Carter (Fairfax, Va./Oakton) added eight points and five rebounds, while Guest finished with eight and four. Krisak handed out four assists.
Zarkia Mattox led Ferrum with 23 points, six rebounds and four assists as their starters scored 63 of the team's 71 points.