Harrisonburg, VA – The Lady Royals (11-4, 6-4 ODAC) and the Hornets of Lynchburg College (9-6,7-4 ODAC) squared off for the second time this season. In their previous meeting on January 4th in Lynchburg the Royals dealt the Hornets their first conference loss defeating Lynchburg by 26 points 71-45.

In tonight's contest the Hornets and the Royals found themselves in similar situations. Both teams had lost their two previous ODAC games with the Royals falling to Guilford and Emory & Henry, and Lynchburg coming up short against Emory & Henry and Hollins University. Both teams have surprised the perennial ODAC powers this season and are in the hunt for the regular season title, and both teams needed a win.

The Royals and Lynchburg played even through the first nine minutes as both teams looked to play an up-tempo game. With 8:45 to go in the first half the Royals went on a 10-0 run to take control of the game. Freshman Stephanie Mathews (Woodstock, VA/Central) came up with four steals and scored five of the Royals 10 points in the run. EMU pushed their lead to 16 points with 1:45 to go in the first half when Senior Emily Mullet (Harrisonburg, VA/EMHS) found Freshman Carrie Grandstaff (Luray, VA/Mt. Carmel Christian) in transition for two points. Grandstaff led the Royals with eight points in the first half and going into the locker room the Royals led 39-27. The Royals forced 14 first half turnovers and came up with nine steals in the first half to hold Lynchburg to just 24.2% shooting from the floor.

EMU maintained a double digit lead until the 14 minute mark when Lynchburg made it a nine point ball game on a made jumper by Junior guard Abby Pyzik (Westminster, MD/Mercy). Lynchburg Freshman Mandi Campbell (Charlottesville, VA/Monticello) came up with a steal on the next possession and was fouled while driving to the basket. Campbell connected on both free-throws to make it a seven point ball game with 12:12 to play. The Hornets cut EMU's lead to three points with 11:28 to go in the game, but were forced to expend so much energy making the run they went nearly 4:30 without a field-goal and the Royals again extended their lead to double digits. The key turning point in the half came with 9:30 to go in the game when Freshman Laura Ludholtz (Mt. Crawford, VA/Fort Defiance) stole the ball and was fouled intentionally by Lynchburg guard Mandi Campbell while breaking away for a lay-up. Ludholtz connected on both of her free-throws and the Royals got the ball out of bounds. On the ensuing play out of bounds Ludholtz found Senior Carissa Kennel (New Holland, PA/Garden Spot) open for two points and Kennel was fouled on the play. Kennel missed her free-throw but the Royals scored four points in 15 seconds to take a seven point lead with 9:19 to go in the game. The Royals extended their lead throughout the remainder of the game winning by a final score of 76-52.

Four Royals finished in double figures with Mathews leading the way with 20 points and nine rebounds. Ludholtz finished with 15 points, 10 rebounds and a game high six assists. Freshman Amanda Renalds (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) finished with 13 points, four rebounds, and a game high four blocks while Grandstaff added 11 points and three rebounds.

The Royals will look to match their win total from last year as they go for their 12th win of the season this Saturday at 4:00pm when they take on the Marlins of Virginia Wesleyan College in the University Commons.