HARRISONBURG, Va.-  Friday marked the dawn of a new season for EMU Women's Basketball as they played host to day one of the two-day Route 42 Hoops Classic in Yoder Arena. The Royals opened the tournament with a showdown against Notre Dame of Maryland. It was a tightly contested game, but in the end, EMU wound up on the wrong side of a 72-67 final score versus the Gators.
 
The Royals' talented recruiting class was on full display as Bridgewater transfer Grace Burke and first-year point guard Lauren Townsend scored 20 and 16 points, respectively to lead EMU. In particular, Burke did most of her damage from three-point land, going 6-of-10 from beyond the arc. Lexie Dingus, another first-year player, led the Royals in rebounds with 10.

Records: EMU 0-1 | Notre Dame (Md.) 1-0

Highlights
First Quarter
EMU got off to a quick start with the first five points of the contest on a Townsend three-pointer and a fastbreak jumper by Jayda Jones. However, the Gators countered with a 10-2 scoring run to assume the lead halfway through the period. The Royals answered with an 8-0 run over a 1:56 span, which included a Burke three-pointer and baskets from Jones and Laila Glymph. A free-throw with one second left edged the visiting Gators out front 16-15.

Second Quarter
After five points by Notre Dame to open the second frame, Burke got the Royals going again with another make from beyond the arc. Meredith Atkinson tied the game at 21 with a fastbreak three-pointer of her own. The Royals then took the lead back on yet another three-pointer by Burke. That began an 8-0 run by EMU over 1:36 span, punctuated by a Jeriyah Osborne layup. The Gators came back to tie the game at 29, but then Burke nailed back-to-back three pointers, helping the Royals take a 35-31 lead into the break.

Third Quarter
The hometown Royals got off to a good start in the third, thanks to two free throws from Jones and a layup by Townsend. A Townsend three-pointer gave EMU a 45-40 lead halfway through the period, but then the Gators took control. A 13-1 scoring run by the visitors gave them a 53-46 lead with 49 seconds left. EMU fought back in the waning seconds of the period, as Townsend swished a jumper as time expired to put the home team back within three at 54-51 going into the fourth.
 
Fourth Quarter
The two teams went back and forth down the stretch, as the game was tied four different times in the final period. EMU got bitten by foul trouble as Jayla Gray and Osborne fouled out in quick succession. This left the Royals with a mostly first-year lineup on the court, and the Gators' veterans took advantage in the closing minutes. With the game tied at 65, Notre Dame closed with a  7-2 run in the closing minute to edge out EMU for the win.
 
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Burke (20)
Rebounds: Dingus (10)
Assists: Burke, Townsend (4)
Steals: Osborne (5)
Blocks: Dingus (2)

What's Next
The Route 42 Hoops Classic continues tomorrow—Saturday, Nov. 9—with EMU playing Mary Washington at 1 p.m. in Yoder Arena. Bridgewater and Notre Dame of Maryland will play a neutral site game at 3 p.m.   

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