ALTOONA, Pa. – The EMU women's basketball team tipped off the 2022-23 season Wednesday night, taking Penn State-Altoona in a road matchup.
The Royals used a pair of double-doubles, along with strong first and fourth quarters, to come back home with a 54-48 win.
Records: EMU 1-0, 0-0 ODAC | PSU—Altoona 0-2, 0-0 AMCC
Highlights
First Quarter
Mya Hamlet and Trinity Washington picked up EMU's first points of the season, putting the Royals ahead 4-0. EMU's defense clamped down, holding the Nittany Lions scoreless for almost four minutes, before a three cut into the lead. EMU continued to hold a lead, but PSU was able to cut it to five with just a over a minute left. EMU responded with a 7-2 run to close out the quarter, with Brii Redfearn drilling a three in the waning seconds, to give the Royals a 17-9 lead after one.
Second Quarter
Back-to-back layups from Trinity Price extended EMU's lead to double-digits to start the second frame. Later in the quarter, they pushed it to 12 on a Lauryn Moore bucket but the Nittany Lions were able to pick up three at the end of the half on three free throws to send the teams to the locker room with EMU leading 25-16.
Third Quarter
The Nittany Lions started the third quarter on a 12-0 run to take a 28-25 lead with just under four minutes left. Hamlet's layup stopped the EMU drought but PSU maintained a slim lead. Jordyn Wright-Goode's three-point play but the lead to one but a three from the Lions gave PSU-Altoona a four-point lead heading to the fourth.
Fourth Quarter
Price and Wright-Goode tied things to start the fourth before another Price layup gave EMU a 38-36 lead. The Lions tied things again but a Hamlet three and a Washington bucket put the Royals on top for good. PSU-Altoona was able to pull within two but a Price layup and a Jayda Jones freethrow gave EMU some cushion. The Nittany Lions wouldn't get any closer than four but EMU would hold on, hitting a pair of freethrows late to finish out the win.
Statistical Leaders
Hamlet – 13 points, 11 rebounds, 4 steals and 3 blocks
Price – 10 points, 13 rebounds, 4 steals
Wright-Goode – 9 points, 8 rebounds
What's Next
EMU will open up at home on Saturday when they welcome Notre Dame of Maryland to Yoder Arena. Tipoff is scheduled for 1 pm.
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