RALEIGH, N.C.- Fresh off the end of the fall semester, the EMU Women's Basketball team drove down to Raleigh, N.C., for two games against competition from the USA South Conference. Their first game on Saturday went swimmingly, pulling away in the second half to down William Peace 63-42.
Kayla Surles played well in her hometown, scoring 13 points and pulling down six rebounds. Mya Hamlet and Brii Redfearn tallied 12 points each. Hamlet added five assists and Redfearn went 3-of-5 from three-point range. Jayla Gray crashed the glass with 13 rebounds, the highest single-game rebound total by an EMU player this season.
Allye Woodruff paced the Pacers with 12 points on 4-of-8 shooting from beyond the arc.
Records: EMU 5-7, 1-5 ODAC | William Peace 3-7, 1-3 USA South
Highlights
First Quarter
Both teams searched for their offense in the opening minutes. After William Peace scored the first basket of the afternoon, Mya Hamlet and Kayla Surles each hit a three-pointer to give EMU a 6-2 lead at the first media timeout. The Royals' lead stayed around four for the rest of the frame as the teams traded baskets, with EMU going into the second quarter up 13-9.
Second Quarter
Surles opened the second stanza with her second three-pointer to give the Royals their biggest lead at 16-9. However, the Pacers put together a 7-0 scoring run over 1:03 to tie it up at 16 at the 6:34 mark. EMU then took control by outscoring William Peace 15-7 for the remainder of the half. Jeriyah Osborne and Jayda Jones got the rally going with a pair of two-point buckets. Then, Surles and Hamlet combined for the final 11 Royal points of the half.
Third Quarter
The third quarter proved to be critical to the Royals' success as they outscored the Pacers 19-8 in the period. After a Nora Williams three-pointer put William Peace within eight at the 5:36 mark, EMU closed the half on a 14-3 run, which started with an Osborne jumper and finished with a Surles three-pointer with 19 seconds remaining in the quarter. Redfearn and Trinity Washington scored five and four points respectively during the run. EMU entered the final quarter with a sizable 50-31 advantage.
Fourth Quarter
The final quarter was a little more even between the two sides. The Royals matched William Peace basket-for-basket to maintain their cushion, emptying the bench in the closing minutes to get game experience for younger players.
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Surles (13)
Rebounds: Gray (13)
Assists: Hamlet (5)
Steals: Washington, Hamlet, Surles (2)
Blocks: Laila Glymph, Redfearn (1)
What's Next
EMU will finish their weekend doubleheader in the City of Oaks tomorrow, Sunday, Dec. 17, when they matchup with the Meredith College Avenging Angels. Tip-off will be at 2 p.m.
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