Updated February 26, 2015
Winter 2015 held some uncertain moments for the Eastern Mennonite men’s and women’s basketball teams, but both squads are expected to be a force in the upcoming Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) tournament, which begins February 27 in Salem, Virginia at the Salem Civic Center.
Lady Royals Powerhouse Record Includes Home Winning Streak of 30 Games
The EMU women’s basketball team closed regular season play out in February 2015 by solidifying their first place ranking in the ODAC. The team’s overall record is 21-3 (15-1 conference) as of February 26, 2015.
That powerhouse record includes a home winning streak of 30 games: their last loss in Yoder Arena occurred over two seasons ago in January 2013.
In early January, the Lady Royals’ versatile forward Jess Rheinheimer earned her second spot on the D3hoops.com Team of the Week and was named the National Player of the Week by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association (USBWA). This is the first season that the USBWA is recognizing national players of the week from Division III.
In February Rheinhemer was named one of five in nation to the Capital One Academic All-America First Team. A member of the EMU honors program, Rheinheimer holds a 3.96 GPA in the university’s well-respected nursing program, along with a minor in history.
Men’s Team Seeded No. 4 in Tourney
The Runnin Royals have gathered a number of career records and personal honors even after battling through a tough non-conference and ODAC schedule.
The team has a record of 16-9 overall (9-7 conference) as of February 26, 2015.
The men clinched the No. 4 seed with an 88-71 victory over Roanoke College.
Some of the honors accrued this season were for senior David Falk, who was named ODAC Player of the Week after collecting double doubles during dramatic wins in mid-January.
As of Feb. 22 the 6-6 center is ranked third in the nation for rebounds per game. Falk is 14th in the nation in free throw attempts, having logged 192 throughout the regular season. He is currently ranked 12th in the nation in blocks. (More info: www.ncaa.com/stats/basketball-men/d3/)
Marcel Crump, an All-ODAC senior, was named Royal Athlete of the Week on January 22 after he went multiple games hitting 100 percent of his attempts from the free throw line.
Runnin Royals’ starting point guard James Williams earned the Royal Athlete of the Week honor when he logged career bests of 18 points and nine assists.
“I like setting my teammates up to score,” said Williams, a senior from Capitol Heights, Md. “When I give an assist I feel like I scored the bucket myself.”
Tournament Game Info in Salem, Va.
Check out the ODAC website for live stats and video for postseason games yet to be played, and scores and game reports from completed games.
Men’s basketball: odaconline.com/sports/mbkb/2014-15/bracket
Women’s basketball: odaconline.com/sports/wbkb
Games are played at the Salem Civic Center in Salem, Virginia.