Senior Emily McCombs (Culpeper, Va./Eastern View) had a career effort in her final game, exploding for 22 points and 10 rebounds. Despite pushing her team to the lead for the first 10 minutes of the night, it wasn't enough as host Emory & Henry took control in the second and held on for a 68-50 decision in the ODAC Tournament First Round Thursday night in Emory, Va.

McCombs was the difference-maker from the start, converting a layup on the opening possession of the game. After a defensive stop, McCombs hit a jumper for a quick 4-0 lead, which the Royals held until the second quarter. The guard scored her team's first 10 points, pushing EMU to a 10-2 cushion just 4:23 into play.

Emory & Henry settled down, however, and hit a three pointer at the buzzer to get within 12-11 at the end of the first.

The second quarter belonged to the hosts, as EMU struggled to put the ball in the hoop.

The Wasps hit back-to-back threes to take their first lead and never looked back. Tiffany Carey (Bedford, Va./Jefferson Forest) stuck in an offensive putback to end an 11-0 run, but the women scored just one more time in the frame. EHC out-scored the Royals 22-4 in the quarter, blowing open a 33-16 lead at halftime.

Three pointers continued to be the difference in the third, where the Wasps hit half of their attempts for the second straight frame. Eastern Mennonite won the fourth with a strong 21-15 effort, but it wasn't enough to overcome the 6-for-12 shooting from long range that EHC had over the two middle quarters.

EMU rebounded well against a taller opponent, grabbing 10 offensive boards for a 40-37 advantage overall. The women also attacked the hoop and got to the line, making 15-of-22 free throws. But they were simply out-shot, 44% to 30%.

McCombs' 22 points were the most for either team on the night, and tied a 22-point effort she had against Roanoke as a sophomore. The 10 rebounds were three more than she had ever had in a single game, and pushed her to her first career double double. McCombs ends her final season with averages of 12.4 points, 4.0 rebounds, 2.0 steals and 1.6 assists per game, all career high marks.

Constance Komara (Harrisonburg, Va./Harrisonburg) shot 5-for-9 from the floor and notched a career best 15 points. She added eight rebounds, a high for the season.

Emory & Henry featured a balanced attack, with Taylor Owens leading with 13 points off the bench. Kylea Cooper had seven points and seven assists.