Women’s basketball: EMU dominates from opening tip in 95-26 win

Most of the drama surrounding the EMU women’s basketball game with Trinity (D.C.) University involved simply getting to the game. The contest itself wasn’t close, as the Royals never trailed and rolled to a 95-26 win.

Now riding a three-game winning streak, Eastern Mennonite is over .500 for the first time this year at 4-3. The women enter a break for exam week, with their next game set for Dec. 19 at Hood College in Frederick, Md.

The game with Trinity was originally scheduled to be played Saturday afternoon in Harrisonburg, but due to a collection of factors, it was moved to Friday afternoon in Washington, DC. The change did not faze the Royals who held their opponents to 26 points, the lowest defensive total since pinning Hollins to 23 in January of 2008.

The teams traded buckets early before Eastern Mennonite scored 16 straight points to blow open an 18-2 lead. Myneshia Walker (Freeman, Va./Brunswick) hit her fourth triple at the buzzer of the period to give EMU a 26-5 lead.

Trinity had by far their best effort in the second, scoring 13 points, but EMU’s offense put up another 27 points for a 53-18 cushion. The Royals then allowed just eight points in the second half.

Eastern Mennonite had a shooting advantage at 56% to 20%, including 9-20 on 3s compared to 1-9 for Trinity. The Royals also dominated the boards 48-29 and had a +12 turnover margin.

Walker finished 5-5 from outside, totaling 16 points and four steals. Chloe Roach (Leesburg, Va./Tuscarora) also scored 16, adding six steals and four assists. Michaela Nichols (Luray, Va./Luray) had a career afternoon, adding 13 off the bench. Lexi Deffenbaugh (Fishersville, Va./Wilson Memorial) had 11 points and four assists.

Jourdyn Friend (Richmond, Va./Meadowbrook) led all players with 10 rebounds to with nine points. Backup guard Tierra Cochraham (Alexandria, Va./Thomas A. Edison) added nine rebounds and three steals. Precious Waddy (Richmond, Va./Henrico) dished out a game high five assists.

Zuri Wells led Trinity with 11 points and six rebounds.