Roanoke, VA – The Lady Royals won the second game of their two game road trip today as they defeated Roanoke College in a close game by a final score of 60-56. This win comes after a convincing 26 point win over Lynchburg College on Saturday.

The Royals fell behind early in the contest as Roanoke pounded the ball inside and the Royals could not find the bottom of the net. Roanoke led by 13 points with 8:58 to go in the first half. The Royals switched defenses and slowly climbed back into the game behind the strong play of Senior Emily "Jo" Misak and Freshman Laura Ludholtz. Misak and Ludholtz combined for 15 points in a run that saw Roanoke's lead cut to three points with 2:41 to go in the first half. In those six minutes the Royals forced seven Roanoke turnovers and trailed 27-23 at the end of the first half.

Coming out of the locker room the Royals again played tough defense turning the tables on the Maroons by pounding the ball inside with Freshman Amanda Renalds (Bridgewater, VA/Turner Ashby) scoring key points in the paint, and Freshman Stephanie Mathews (Woodstock, VA/Central) picking up four rebounds and a blocked shot to help the Royals cut Roanoke's lead to one point with 18:16 to go in the game. The Royals took the lead for the first time on a lay up by Ludholtz with 15:53 to go in the game. There were ten lead changes and three ties in the second half and with 2:29 to go in the game the score was tied 53-53.

The Royals took the lead for good on a lay up by Renalds with 2:16 to go in the game. Freshman Carrie Grandstaff (Luray, VA/Mt. Carmel Christian) came up with a big steal on the next possession and took it to the rim for two points. With 15 seconds to go the Royals' lead was two points but the Royals committed a foul on a Roanoke three-point attempt giving Roanoke the chance to take the lead with three foul-shots. Roanoke connected on the first foul-shot cutting EMU's lead to one point, but missed the next two attempts. Renalds corralled the missed foul-shot and quickly passed to Grandstaff who was fouled with 12 seconds to go in the game. Grandstaff went to the foul-line to shoot two free-throws and made them both to give the Royals a 59-56 lead. Roanoke dribbled the length of the floor and forced a three-point shot that missed off the front of the rim. Renalds again pulled down the rebound and was immediately fouled with 1.7 seconds to go in the game. Renalds hit one of two free-throws to put the game out of reach and the Royals won by a final score of 60-56.

With the win the Royals advance to 7-2 on the season and are now 3-2 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference.

Renalds led the Royals with 12 points, 12 rebounds, and three blocked shots while Misak, Grandstaff, and Ludholtz finished with 11 points each. Misak finished the game with six rebounds while Grandstaff and Ludholtz each recorded four steals.

The Royals take on Washington & Lee this Wednesday at 6:00pm in the University Commons.