LYNCHBURG, Va.- The EMU Women's Basketball team played at Randolph College on Friday night, one day earlier than planned due to impending winter weather. The Royals used of a combination lockdown defense and big scoring nights from Mya Hamlet and Kayla Surles to take down the WildCats by a final score of 59-48.

Hamlet took the helm for EMU, scoring 16 points on 4-of-12 shooting from the field. Surles was right behind Hamlet with 15 points, including a flawless 8-of-8 from the free throw line. First-year Jeriyah Osborne filled the stat sheet with seven points, three assists, and three steals. Jayla Gray had a strong night on the glass, pulling down nine rebounds.

Defensively, the Royals held to Randolph to just 31.6 percent shooting in the game, and the 48 points allowed is the WildCats' third-lowest output of the season. Furthermore, EMU advances to 5-0 in games in which they allow fewer than 50 points.

Kylie Stark led Randolph with 19 points on the evening, shooting 7-of-13 from the floor.

Records: EMU 7-8, 2-6 ODAC | Randolph 9-4, 3-4 ODAC

Highlights

First Quarter

The Royals and WildCats traded a handful of baskets in the opening 10 minutes, as Gray opened up the scoring with a layup just 45 seconds. Brii Redfearn chipped in with a three-pointer. Gray put in another layup with 1:09 remaining in the period to give EMU a 10-9 lead after the first quarter.

Second Quarter

While the first quarter was back-and-forth, the second quarter firmly belonged to the Royals, outscoring the WildCats 17-7 in the frame. That effort included a 7-2 run over the first 4:34 of the period, punctuated by four points from Surles. Following a Randolph basket by Starks to make it 17-13, EMU pulled out a 27-13 lead with a 10-0 scoring run. The rally included two free throws from Hamlet, a three-pointer and layup by Osborne, a Gray free throw and end with a jumper by Surles. Randolph drilled a late three-pointer, but EMU headed to the locker room up 27-16.

Third Quarter

Randolph closed the gap a bit in the third, outpacing EMU 18-15 in the period. In particular, Stark was on fire in the third, scoring 13 of her 19 points in that quarter. The Royals, however, held the WildCats at bay as Hamlet tallied seven of her 16 points in the third. Surles and Trinity Washington pitched in with three-pointers, and Osborne added a layup. EMU held the lead at 42-34 going to the fourth.

Fourth Quarter

Randolph got as close as four points multiple times in the fourth. But EMU iced the game at the line, going 9-of-10 on their free throws in the final 10 minutes to secure the victory.  

Statistical Leaders

Scoring: Hamlet (16)

Rebounds: Gray (9)

Assists: Osborne (3)

Steals: Osborne (3)

Blocks: Gray (1)

What's Next

The EMU Women's Basketball team returns home on Wednesday, Jan. 10 to host the Lynchburg Hornets at 7:30 p.m. It will be the Royals' first home game in over a month, and it will also be the Rowdy Royals game in Yoder Arena.

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