An all senior starting lineup took the court for the Royals in their final home game as the EMU basketball women beat Hollins 69-47. It was also the last game of the regular season for the Royals who finish 10-15 on the year and 7-11 in the conference.
The women claim the tenth spot in the ODAC tournament and will play in the first round on Tuesday, February 19 at 7:00pm at #7 Roanoke. The Royals won the first matchup between these teams 72-68 in Yoder Arena on January 2 in a game that needed overtime to reach a decision.
Click here for the interactive ODAC tournament bracket.
The game was a slow shooting effort to begin the first quarter. There were not points on the board until the 5:49 mark when Precious Waddy (Richmond, Va./Henrico) made a free throw. After a Hollins three pointer, Lindsey Krisak (Alexandria, Va./Thomas A. Edison) and Lexi Deffenbaugh (Fishersville, Va./Wilson Memorial) hit back-to-back threes to put EMU in front. The Royals added to their lead, but a made three pointer by Kayla Surles gave Holllins the 13-11 advantage at the buzzer to end the first period.
Hollins (7-17/3-14 ODAC) jumped to a four point lead to begin the second quarter, but the Royals used a 12-3 run to head into halftime leading 25-21.
EMU opened up the second half with a made bucket by Chrissy Delawder (Broadway, Va./Broadway) then Kiana Childress (Palmyra, Va./Fluvanna County) scored the next five points for the Royals to increase the lead to eight. Lexi Dean (Elkton, Va./East Rockingham) started a 9-0 run for EMU with a free throw and a layup followed by five straight points by Jess Washington(Chesapeake, Va./Great Bridge) as the Royals took a 43-34 lead into the fourth period.
Hollins cut the EMU lead to six within the first minute of the fourth quarter. The Royals responded with a 7-0 run to take command of the lead. Hollins stayed within ten points until a Jourdyn Friend (Richmond, Va./Meadowbrook) layup at the 2:55 mark separated EMU enough to build on to their lead and close out the game.
The Royals shot 42.6% (23-54) for the game and 31.3% (5-16) from three point range. Hollins shot 24.5% (13-53) from the field and 32.0% (8-25) from behind the arc.
Delawder led the Royals in scoring with 13 points and six rebounds. Each senior did their part to help score for EMU as Washington led the group with a double-double of 10 points and 10 rebounds. Waddy had 7 points, Krisak scored six points, Childress had five, and Friend with four.
Hollins was led by Kayla Surles who scored 23 points and had three assists and two steals.
Senior Recognition
Before the game, the five seniors were recognized for their contribution and dedication to the women's basketball program. Lindsey Krisak, Precious Waddy, Kiana Childress, Jess Washington, and Jourdyn Friend were all honored for the important roles they have played in their careers at EMU. The seniors were subbed out with 2:20 remaining in the game to an ovation of appreciation.