SALEM, Va. – Eastern Mennonite defeated Old Dominion Athletic Conference women’s basketball defending champions Randolph-Macon, 65-54, Saturday, Feb. 28, to win the 2004 conference title. It marked the only time an ODAC women’s basketball coach – the Royals’ Richard McElwee – has won the title in their first season as head coach.
The Yellow Jackets led 37-29 at halftime, but the Royals came out strong after the break, shooting 52 percent from the floor and limiting R-MC to 17.9 percent shooting and 1-for-4 from the free throw line.
Eastern Mennonite was led by ODAC Tournament MVP Laura Ludholtz who had 14 points and 10 rebounds, and Carrie Grandstaff, who tallied a game-high 19 points en route to earning All-Tournament honors.
Randolph-Macon’s Ashlee Henshaw scored 14 points, had seven rebounds and also earned All-Tournament honors. ODAC player of the year Megan Silva (Hermitage) had 13 points, six rebounds and two assists and also was named to the All-Tournament team.
Eastern Mennonite (24-3) receives the automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Women’s Basketball Championships. Eastern Mennonite University will be the host site for the second round game on Saturday, March 6. Randolph-Macon finishes its season 20-8 overall.