HARRISONBURG, Va. (EMU Athletics) – EMU Women’s Basketball played hosted to Virginia Wesleyan on Saturday for their Play4Kay game on Valentine’s Day. Sadly, the Royals fans were left heartbroken as the visiting Marlins came away with the 67-59 win over EMU.
Grace Burke brought her best to the court today, scoring 20 points and pulling down eight rebounds. Jeriyah Osborne had a double-figure game as well with 15 points on 6-of-14 shooting from the field. For Virginia Wesleyan, Brianna Long showed why she has been one of the best players in the ODAC this season, tallying 23 points and grabbing 17 rebounds.
Records: EMU 5-18, 0-14 ODAC | Virginia Wesleyan 13-10, 7-7 ODAC
Highlights
First Quarter
After a VWU layup to open the scoring, Jayda Jones sank a three-pointer and Osborne made a layup to put EMU up 5-2. Over a 3:13 span in the middle of the quarter, the Royals went on a 12-2 scoring run. Lexie Dingus got the rally started with a layup at the 4:40 mark. Osborne contributed a floater and Burke made a layup. Jazmyn Taylor and Kaylene Todd made two free throws each, and Taylor put the cherry on top with a layup to put EMU up 18-8. The score after 10 minutes of play was EMU 20, Virginia Wesleyan 12.
Second Quarter
The Marlin began the second quarter on a 7-2 run to get within three points, 22-19, but EMU then scored six unanswered points to grow the lead back to nine at 28-19. The two teams traded free throws before Virginia Wesleyan scored the final four points of the frame to make the halftime score EMU 30, Virginia Wesleyan 26.
Third Quarter
The Royals came out of the halftime locker room strong, at one point going a 9-2 run early in the third quarter to get up by double digits, 39-29. The run included an Osborne layup, a Jones driving layup, a Burke three-pointer, and was capped off by a layup from Todd. Jazmyn Taylor swished a three-pointer and Townsend made a layup to put EMU back up by 10. However, the Marlins capped off the quarter with a 10-1 run to shave down EMU’s lead to a single points, 45-44.
Fourth Quarter
Virginia Wesleyan took a one-point lead with the opening basket of the fourth quarter, but the Royals roared back with an Osborne jumper and a layup by Taylor to go back up by three, 49-46. But then the Marlins went on a 10-0 run over 2:54 of game time that proved to be the difference in the contest. Burke got a four-point play with a three-pointer and making the and-one free throw, which got the Royals back within three. However, they could get no closer as the Marlins made the plays down the stretch to seal the win.
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Burke (20)
Rebounds: Burke (8)
Assists: Burke (4)
Steals: Osborne (4)
What’s Next
EMU Women’s Basketball will make their final road trip of the 2025-26 when they go up I-81 to Shenandoah on Wednesday, Feb. 18. Tip-off against the Hornets is scheduled for 7 p.m.
— EMU Athletics —
