Staff Report
EMU sports: www.emu.edu
Bridgewater had a three-game winning streak over EMU. The Royal women were 8-0 on the season with the best start in school history. Something had to give. As it turned out, Eastern Mennonite decided to take, as the women grabbed the lead early and took a double digit win from their rivals, 68-55 Tuesday night in Harrisonburg.
The Eagles scored first after an EMU turnover, but the Royals scored the next four. Bridgewater tied the game at 10-10 before the home team jumped back into the lead 14-10.
Both teams played sloppy ball for the next few minutes until EMU pushed the lead to ten after a Melissa Lewis (Stuarts Drafts, Va./Stuarts Draft) three pointer with 2:14 left in the half. The home team led 30-24 at the break, although the first 20 minutes featured a total of 28 turnovers.
The Royals tightened the ship in the second half and quickly rebuilt a double digit lead. Bridgewater got within seven points at 48-41 with 11:09 to play, but then fouls caught up with the Eagles. EMU was in the double bonus with 8:59 left and made enough free throws to stroll out with the 68-55 win.
On a night when the women were not clicking on all cylinders, Brittany Snyder (Raphine, Va./Riverheads) was on fire as she drilled three of her six treys and finished with a game high 16 points. Lewis was great defensively and offensively, as the point guard totaled 15 points, seven rebounds and four steals.
Danielle Rittenhouse (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) chipped in 11 points while Sara Lamneck (Swoope, Va./Buffalo Gap) had seven points, six rebounds and two blocked shots.
Bridgewater’s leading scorer, Jordan Burkholder, was limited to just 11 points. Jackie Buckley led the Eagles with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
EMU was outrebounded 44-37 and gave up 20 offensive boards, but the women made up for it by going 22-31 from the free throw line. Bridgewater made only 14 charity attempts and connected on nine.
The win bumps the Royals to 9-0 overall and 5-0 in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play. EMU continues its homestand Friday, Jan. 8, by hosting Emory & Henry.
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