It took a bit to get started, but the Eastern Mennonite women's basketball team used a big second half to pick up a 60-54 win at Randolph Friday night. The Royals trailed by as many as 11 in the first half before retaking the lead midway through the second half and taking the six-point win.

The women struggled to hit shots in the first half and Randolph jumped a 25-14 lead with 6:38 to go in the period. But they closed on an 8-4 run, trimming the deficit to 29-22 at the break.

EMU kept the momentum in the second and eventually took their first lead since the opening minutes when Bianca Ygarza (Conestoga, Pa./Penn Manor) made a steal and layup at the 11:40 mark to make the score 36-35.

After completing a 14-0 run over a period of 6:29, EMU led 40-35.

The WildCats got back within two points, but the Royals responded with a 7-0 run to push the edge to 49-40.

EMU led by as many as 10 points at 52-42, when Skylar Scott (Orange, Va./Orange County) made a pair of free throws with 4:21 left to play.

Randolph chipped into the lead but could get no closer than four points. The Royals went 7-8 from the free throw line in the final 53 seconds to clinch the win.

After shooting just 25% in the first 20 minutes, EMU shot 50% in the final 20 and ended the game on a 34-19 streak. The women also held Randolph to 20% from the floor in the decisive second.

The Royals made 18 of 35 free throws in the game, but were 14-23 in the second half. The WildCats were 18-20 from the stripe.

EMU took very good care of the ball, giving away just 11 turnovers. RC had 19.

Danielle Rittenhouse (Lancaster, Pa./Lampeter-Strasburg) tied for the game high with 14 points. She also had the high with four assists. Freshman Stephanie Rheinheimer (Manheim, Pa./Lancaster Mennonite) hit three of four triples and finished with 13 points.

Sara Lamneck (Swoope, Va./Buffalo Gap) added seven points and six rebounds.

Eastern Mennonite moves to 10-8 with the win, including 8-5 in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. The women turn around and host Lynchburg Saturday afternoon at 4:00pm. The Hornets lost the lead late in a 63-59 loss to Bridgewater in Lynchburg Friday night.