HARRISONBURG, VA. – EMU Women's Basketball team played their first home game of the 2023-24 season on Wednesday, in front of a crowd of over 300 Rowdy Royals. Sadly, it was not a happy homecoming for the Royals as they dropped a 58-31 decision to ODAC foe Randolph-Macon.

Sophomore guard Caris Lucas led all Royals with six points on 2-of-5 shooting from beyond the arc. In total, 10 Royals scored at least two points on the night. The Yellow Jackets countered with two players in double figures, led by Jane Elkins' 17 points and 10 more from Catherine Kagey.

Records: EMU 0-3, 0-1 ODAC | Randolph-Macon 3-1, 1-0 ODAC

Highlights
First Quarter
The first couple of minutes saw scoring from both sides, with EMU trailing 5-4 following early buckets from Jayla Gray and Kayla Surles. But then Randolph-Macon went on a 10-0 scoring run that started with a Kagey free throw at the 7:59 mark and ended with a Kagey lay up at 3:21 remaining in the period. Laila Glymph put in a layup with 16 seconds remaining in the period, but the Yellow Jackets held a 15-6 lead after 10 minutes.

Second Quarter
RMC blew the game wide open, outscoring EMU 19-7 in the second period. Lucas, Jeriyah Osborne, and Trinity Washington chipped in points for the Royal cause in the period, but EMU trailed 34-13 at the half.

Third Quarter
Baskets were hard to come by for both teams in the third quarter, with RMC putting up 13 points to EMU's six. The Royal scoring came off of a pair of three-points field goals, one by Lucas and the other by Osborne.

Fourth Quarter
The Yellow Jackets' lead peaked at 30 with a layup by Emion Byers at the 8:25 mark. However, the Royals outpaced RMC in the final 10 minutes by a 12-11 margin, with reserves stepping in to make big plays. Kaliyah Braxton made her first collegiate basket on a turnaround jumper with 4:59 remaining, assisted by fellow first-year player Meredith Atkinson. 42 seconds of game action later, Brooke Morris scored the first points of her college career on a three-pointer.

Statistical Leaders

Points: Lucas (6)
Rebounds: Jayla Gray (7)
Assists: Seven players tied with 1
Steals:  Washington, Osborne, Mya Hamlet (2)
Blocks: Kayla Surles (1)

What's Next
The EMU Women's Basketball team continues its four-game homestand on Friday, Nov. 17 when they entertain the Shipbuilders of the Newport News Apprentice School. Tip-off is set for 6 p.m. from Yoder Arena.