BRIDGEWATER, Va.- The EMU Women's Basketball rolled into Bridgewater for a renewal of the Route 42 Rivalry. Coming off of two straight victories, the Royals sought to extend that winning streak. Alas, it was not meant to be as the homestanding Eagles got the better of EMU 63-43.

The Royals struggled to find their offense, shooting 32.7 percent (17-of-52) from the field compared to 43.1 percent (25-of-58) from the floor for the Eagles. Those problems carried over to the free throw line, where EMU shot only 55.6 percent (5-of-9) next to Bridgewater's 75 percent (9-of-12) at the charity stripe.

Kayla Surles and Jeriyah Osborne stood out as co-leaders for the Royals, scoring 11 points apiece.  For the first-year Osborne, it was her third straight game scoring in double figures. Abby Freeman and Riley Corcoran boosted the Bridgewater effort with 12 points each, with India Dailey and Jaden Alsberry also finishing in double figures.

Records: EMU 9-10, 4-8 ODAC | Bridgewater 12-5, 8-3 ODAC

Highlights
First Quarter
EMU struggled out of the gate, with Bridgewater getting out to 9-3 lead through the first seven minutes. Surles got EMU on the board with a trey at the 4:09 mark of the period. With 44 seconds left in the period, Trinity Washington cashed in with a layup and a free throw for a traditional three-point play. A late Freeman layup put Bridgewater up 11-6 at the end of the first.

Second Quarter
The Royals closed to within one point at 16-15 courtesy of a jumper by Brii Redfearn. However, the Eagles answered with a  9-1 scoring run over a 2:31 span to open up a 27-18 cushion. A layup by Osborne with 18 seconds left in the frame made the halftime score 27-20 in favor of Bridgewater.

Third Quarter
Surles opened the second half scoring with a driving layup to close the deficit to five at 27-22. But this is where the game got away from the Royals as the Eagles went on a 10-0 run for the next 3:44 of the contest to jump out to a 37-22 lead. Five straight points by Osborne got EMU back within 11, but Corcoran countered with a three-point to put Bridgewater out front 44-30 at the end of the third.

Fourth Quarter
EMU could not mount a comeback in the fourth, as Bridgewater grew the lead to as big as 23 with 1:24 remaining. A Brooke Morris jumper and a Jayda Jones free throw brought the game to its 63-43 final score.

Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Surles, Osborne (11)
Rebounds: Gray (5)
Assists: Surles, Washington (2)
Steals: Osborne (3)

What's Next
The EMU Women's Basketball team will further south to duke it out with Roanoke on Saturday, Jan. 27. It will be an early 12 p.m. tip-off from the Cregger Center in Salem.

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