The EMU basketball women gave Coach Kevin Griffin a fantastic birthday present Tuesday night – a new record. The Royals hit 59.7% of their shots, a new program record, and never trailed in a 93-68 romp at Randolph-Macon.
Eastern Mennonite scored a quick lay-up off the opening tip and jumped ahead 6-0. Less than five minutes into the game, the Royals had surged to a 14-3 cushion and R-MC never recovered. By halftime, the women had two players scoring in double figures and led 45-27.
The Yellow Jackets shot a little better from the floor in the second half, but EMU kept the offense in high gear and rolled to the 93-68 win.
Not only did the Royals shoot 37-62 from the floor to break their program mark at 59.7%, but they also tied their highest scoring output of the season. Since scoring a season-low 49 points in a loss to Elizabethtown last Monday, EMU’s offense has been unstoppable. The women have shot 50% or better in three straight games, all double-digit ODAC victories.
Eastern Mennonite has won six of their last seven games to improve to 10-5 overall and 6-1 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference, tied with Guilford for first place.
Junior Kala Yoders (Myerstown, PA/Eastern Lebanon County) led the charge with her first double double of the season, charting 18 points on 9-of-12 shooting along with 11 rebounds. She added three blocks and three steals for good measure. Steph Rheinheimer (Manheim, PA/Lancaster Mennonite) broke out of a shooting slump by drilling 5-of-7 three pointers on her way to a season high 17 points.
Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, PA/Penn Manor) added 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, VA/Forest Park) was good for 11 points, six boards and three assists, while Raiven Patterson (Pulaski, VA/Pulaski County) also scored in double figures with 10.
Point guard Keyla Baltimore (Bristow, VA/Brentsville District) had fun setting up her teammates and tied her career high with eight assists.
The Royals held Randolph-Macon to 36% shooting and had a hefty 48-27 control of the boards.
EMU returns home for two key games, starting this Saturday afternoon with Virginia Wesleyan. The Marlins gave the women their lone ODAC loss, a 66-58 decision in Virginia Beach on Dec. 1. Then next week Thursday, the Royals host rival Bridgewater College, who is currently 5-1 in the ODAC.