EMU women’s basketball wins at Washington College, 58-55

A win is a win.  Regardless of how the 40 minutes of action felt, the EMU basketball women came home with a 58-55 road victory from non-conference opponent Washington College Tuesday night.  The Royals shot just 34%, but still never trailed to improve to 8-2 as they head into their 15-day layoff between semesters.  The women have off until a road contest at Johns Hopkins on Jan. 2.

Jess Rheinheimer (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) opened the game against the Shorewomen with a three pointer and Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, Pa./Penn Manor) followed with a layup for an early 5-0 lead.  Washington eventually tied the score at 14-14 for all of 12 seconds before Rheinheimer capped a 14-5 run with another triple for the biggest lead of the game, 28-19 with 5:05 left in the half.

EMU led 33-28 at the intermission.

The offenses bogged down even more in the second half, as it took 2:23 into the frame for either team to score.  The Shorewomen got within two points on a handful of occasions, but Shakeerah Sykes (Dumfries, Va./Forest Park) gave Eastern Mennonite some breathing room late.  Her layup with 3:25 to play gave the Royals their biggest lead of the second half at 56-48.

Despite the women committing four turnovers and scoring just two free throws the rest of the game, Washington would get no closer than the final margin of three with a layup at the final buzzer.

Percentage-wise, Eastern Mennonite was out-shot from the floor and the free throw line, had more turnovers, and only held a 38-37 rebounding edge.  The Royals earned the win by taking and therefore making more free throws, and connecting on more three pointers – seven long bombs compared to just three for Washington.

Rheinheimer finished a perfect 4-4 from outside, and 6-7 from the floor, for a game high 16 points along with three steals.  Ygarza came in with 13 points, including 7-of-9 free throws, along with nine rebounds and three steals.

Point guard Keyla Baltimore had 10 points and a game high six assists.

Carley Kendall and Claire Mattox co-led the Shorewomen with 10 points apiece.  Latisha Pledger had 12 rebounds and nine points.