WINCHESTER, Va. (EMU Athletics) – EMU Women’s Basketball hit the road for the final time this season on Wednesday, making the approximately one-hour trip north up I-81 to take the court against Shenandoah. Sadly, despite a strong first half, the Royals headed back south empty-handed, dropping a 54-36 decision to the Hornets.
Jeriyah Osborne stood out as the lone Royal in double figures, scoring 11 points on 5-of-13 shooting from the field. Jayda Jones was close behind at nine points.
Emily Williams had a monster game for Shenandoah, scoring 19 points and grabbing 18 rebounds. Addisyn Banks and Taylor Moran contributed 12 points apiece to the Hornets’ winning effort.
Records: EMU 5-19, 0-15 ODAC | Shenandoah 18-6, 10-5 ODAC
Highlights
First Quarter
Shenandoah got off to a quick start thanks to back-to-back three-pointer from Moran. Osborne countered with a deep three of her own to cut the deficit to 6-3. However, the Hornets then scored the next 10 points unanswered to fly out to a 16-3 lead. The Royals did get the final basket of the quarter thanks to a Lexie Dingus layup to make the score 16-5 after 10 minutes of play.
Second Quarter
Shenandoah opened the second quarter the same way they opened the first with a three-pointer, but the rest of that frame belonged to the Royals, who went on a 15-2 run spanning the final 8:35 of the first half. Lauren Townsend got the rally started with a driving layup at the 8:41 mark, drawing a foul and sinking the free throw for a three-point play. Osborne then scored six of EMU’s next eight points, with a Townsend floating jumpshot thrown in there. The second quarter ended the same way the first quarter did with a Dingus layup. That put EMU within one point of Shenandoah at the break, 21-20.
Third Quarter
While the Hornets got the first four points of the second half, Grace Burke answered with a three-pointer to keep within two points at 25-23. Williams of Shenandoah and Jones of EMU exchanged two-point jumper before Shenandoah scored seven unanswered points to open up a 34-25 cushion. The Hornets kept the Royals at arm’s length, entering the fourth quarter with a 40-31 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Shenandoah left no doubt about the game’s outcome in the fourth quarter, outscoring EMU 14-5 in the final 10 minutes. Jones provided the fourth quarter highlight for the Royals with a three-pointer at the 7:26 mark.
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Osborne (11)
Rebounds: Todd (7)
Assists: Osborne (3)
Steals: Osborne (4)
Blocks: Osborne (1)
What’s Next
EMU Women’s Basketball will wrap up the 2025-26 season this Saturday, Feb. 21 when they host the University of Lynchburg. Tip-off in Yoder Arena is set for 2 p.m., and it will be the team’s Senior Day as well as EMU’s National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration.
— EMU Athletics —
