GREENSBORO, N.C.–  The EMU Women's Basketball team took their show south of the Virginia-North Carolina border to take on Guilford College in Greensboro, N.C. The Royals put forth their best offensive performance of the season, shooting a superb 50.9 percent from the floor to top the Quakers 78-69, handing Guilford their first loss of the season. It is the Royals' first road win and first ODAC conference win of the season.

Kayla Surles showed the way for EMU, tallying a season-high 32 points on 11-of-18 shooting from the field. Surles finished just two points shy of her career-high of 34 against Pfeiffer on Nov. 10, 2019. The Royals received another boost with the return of Mya Hamlet to the lineup, as the junior from Lynchburg added 14 points, also a season-high. Jayla Gray was a strong presence inside, finishing with nine points and nine rebounds, only one point and one board shy of a double-double.

Taylor Dunn was the top scorer for Guilford, scoring 17 points with 5-of-7 shooting from beyond the three-point line.

Records: EMU 4-4, 1-2 ODAC | Guilford 4-1, 1-1 ODAC

Highlights

First Quarter

The Royals roared out of the gates, going on a 12-2 run to start the game. Surles and Gray combined for 10 of the 12 EMU points in the run, which spanned the first 3:21 of the game. Guilford cut the margin to six, but EMU responded with a Gray layup and a Caris Lucas three-pointer in the closing minute to extend their lead to 11 at 21-10 after 10 minutes.

Second Quarter

The second quarter was a more of a back-and-forth affair, with EMU outscoring Guilford by just one point, 17-16. Surles put the exclamation point on a strong first half, nailing a three-pointer with eight seconds remaining to put the Royals up 28-26 at the break.

Third Quarter

Guilford got as close as five on two different occasions, both following successful three-pointers by Zoe Bayer. However, it was the Royals that ended the third stanza on a high note, outscoring the Quakers 7-3 over the final 2:18 of the period, with five of those points coming courtesy of Surles.

Fourth Quarter

EMU opened up the final frame with a 9-2 scoring run spanning the first 2:59 of the period. Caris Lucas got things started with a pair of free throws, Brii Redfearn contributed a layup, and then Hamlet scored the next five EMU points, sinking a three with 7:01 left in the game. Guilford got within seven at the 1:11 mark, but the Royals buckled down to score six points in the final 46 seconds to keep the Quakers at arm's length and lock up the win.

Statistical Leaders

Points: Surles (32)

Rebounds: Gray (9)

Assists: Surles (4)

Steals: Gray, Trinity Washington (2)

Blocks: Laila Glymph (2)

What's Next

EMU Women's Basketball will complete their weekend of hoops with a visit to Averett tomorrow, Sunday, Dec.2. Tip-off against the Cougars will be at 1 p.m.