HARRISONBURG, Va.- The EMU Women's Basketball team continued their lengthy five-game homestead on Saturday, playing host to Wilson College for an afternoon contest. The Royals entered the game hoping to get their fifth consecutive win, and they did just that with a tight 60-57 victory over the Phoenix. 

The Royals overcame a frustrating afternoon offensively, shooting just 31.3 percent (21-of-67) from the field to Wilson's 37.5 percent (18-of-48). The Phoenix outshot EMU from three-point land as well, going 44.4 percent (8-of-18) from beyond the arc to the Royals' 21.1 percent (4-of-19).

The difference maker for the Royals was their rebounding, as they pulled down 44 boards to Wilson's 42. In particular, EMU crashed the offensive glass with 21 offensive rebounds to Wilson's 10. The Royals also took better care of the basketball, turning it over just 13 times to Wilson's 22.

Four Royals scored in double figures on the afternoon, led by Grace Burke's 15 points on 5-of-15 shooting from the field. Jeriyah Osborne added 11 points, with Laila Glymph and Lauren Townsend tallying 10 points apiece.  Glymph also grabbed 14 rebounds for her second double-double of the season.

Records: EMU 5-1 | Wilson 1-4

Highlights
First Quarter
Osborne got the Royals with back-to-back layups for an early 4-0 lead. EMU and Wilson then traded baskets, with the Royals' lead growing as big as seven in the period thanks to a Jayda Jones three-pointer. Back-to-back free throws from Jayla Gray put EMU up 17-13 after 10 minutes.

Second Quarter
Wilson began the second period with a three-pointer and a driving layup, but Burke answered with five points of her own to put EMU back up by four. The two teams combined for just 17 points in the second quarter as the Royals held a narrow 24-23 lead at the break.

Third Quarter
The second half started with some back-and-forth offense from both sides. With EMU up 32-30, Wilson ensued to go on a 14-3 scoring run over the final 3:46 of the third quarter. The run included four three-pointers from four different players to put the Phoenix ahead 44-35 going into the fourth.
 
Fourth Quarter
With Wilson up 46-37, Glymph scored four unanswered points to pull the Royals within five. A layup by Townsend at the 5:59 mark drew EMU within a point of the Phoenix. The Royals evened up the game on an Osborne floater with 3:29 on the clock. Wilson edged back out front on an Allie Cullison free throw with 56 seconds remaining. But in the end, the Royals would not be denied. Osborne headed straight to the hoop for a driving layup at 47 seconds left. Then, with Wilson focused on sending a Royal to the free throw line, Osborne found a wide-open Glymph on an inbound pass. Glymph drove straight to the bucket for an easy layup. The Royals made one last defensive stand to hang on for the narrow victory.
 
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Burke (15)
Rebounds: Glymph, Gray (14)
Assists: Osborne (3)
Steals: Osborne (5)
Blocks: Glymph, Gray (1)

What's Next
The EMU Women's Basketball team won't have long to celebrate as they return to action tomorrow, Sunday, Nov. 24, to play host to Hood College in Yoder Arena. Tip-off against the Blazers is set for 2 p.m.

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