Eastern Mennonite University overcame a sluggish start and went on to pick up a 55-39 victory over Lynchburg College in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference women's basketball game on Thursday night in Harrisonburg, Va.

EMU (15-5, 11-4 ODAC) did not score until the 14:01 mark of the first half as LC (7-12, 4-10 ODAC) led 6-2 early. A three-pointer by freshman guard Dana Powell gave the Lady Royals their first lead by a score of 11-10 with 9:37 remaining in the half. The basket ignited a 10-0 EMU run, capped by a three-point play from junior forward Amanda Renalds for an 18-10 lead with 6:36 left in the half. EMU led 26-15 at the break.

In the second period, Lynchburg could not put together a rally. EMU led by at least double-digits for all but 40 seconds during the second half. The lead grew to as much as 20 points as EMU picked up the 55-39 victory.

Renalds led the Lady Royals in scoring for the 13th time in 20 games with 14 points. She also had nine rebounds and made the first three-pointer of her career on her first attempt of the season beyond the arch. Junior forward Stephanie Mathews contributed 10 points, seven rebounds, four steals, and two assists. Senior point guard Shantee Bryant had nine points, three boards, and three assists.

EMU shot 34% as a team and made 3-of-11 three-point field goals for 27.3% shooting from the arch. The Lady Royals cashed in on 22 Lynchburg fouls by hitting 20-of-27 free throws for 74.1% accuracy from the charity stripe.

Lynchburg received a solid game from sophomore center Caroline Wesley who had seven points and game-highs of 11 rebounds and five blocks. Sophomore forward Caroline Cubbage had eight points, seven rebounds, and two assists. No player reached double-digits for the Hornets.

LC struggled from the floor, hitting 25.8% of its field goal attempts and 2-of-17 three-point attempts. The Hornets went 5-of-8 at the free throw line. They outrebounded the Lady Royals 44-37 but committed 24 turnovers.

EMU hits the road for three straight away games, including weekend visits to Emory & Henry on Saturday at 4 p.m. and Guilford on Sunday at 4:30 p.m.