FERRUM, Va.- The EMU Women's Basketball team made their way south for a Valentine's Day showdown at Ferrum on Wednesday. But the Panthers showed no love to the Royals, handing them a 50-40 defeat.

However, it was not all heartbreak for EMU Women's Basketball on Valentine's Day. By virtue of Roanoke's victory over Hollins later in the evening, the Royals have clinched a spot in the ODAC Women's Basketball Tournament next week.

Kayla Surles led the Royals in scoring for the fourth game in a row, collecting 12 points, five assists, and three steals. Mya Hamlet and Trinity Washington contributed nine and seven points respectively to the Royals' cause. For Ferrum, Trina Lewis led all scorers with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting from the field, followed by Kayla Cabiness with 11 points.

Records: EMU 10-14, 5-12 ODAC | Ferrum 10-14, 7-10 ODAC

Highlights
First Quarter
EMU came to Ferrum ready to play in the first quarter. After Lewis opened the scoring for Ferrum with a two-point jumper, the Royals responded with a 13-3 scoring run over a 5:34 span. The run started with a Washington floater followed by five consecutive points from Surles. Kaylene Todd chipped in with a layup, and the Royals led 13-6 through one.

Second Quarter
The Royals and the Panthers went back-and-forth during the second quarter. EMU's lead peaked at eight when Hamlet got fouled making a layup and completed the three-point play by drilling the free throw to make the score 16-8 in favor of EMU. A Lewis layup for Ferrum made the halftime score 27-22 with the Royals out front at the break.

Third Quarter
Ferrum surged out of the locker room, going on a 10-2 run over the first seven minutes of the second half. Hamlet halted the Panthers' rally with a layup, followed by a Jeriyah Osborne hook shot to put the Royals back out front by one. That lead was short-lived as Ferrum got a layup with eleven seconds remaining to enter the fourth up 34-33 on EMU.

Fourth Quarter
Ferrum never trailed in the fourth quarter, outscoring EMU 16-7 in the final frame. Jayda Jones completed the Royals' scoring with a deep two-pointer with eight seconds left.
 
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Surles (12)
Rebounds: Hamlet, Washington (5)
Assists: Surles (5)
Steals: Surles (3)
Blocks: Todd (2)

What's Next
The EMU Women's Basketball team completes their regular season slate this Saturday, Feb. 17 at 6 p.m. when they host Hollins at Yoder Arena. It will be Senior Day for the women's basketball team.  
To keep up to date with everything surrounding EMU women's basketball, follow EMU on Twitter and Instagram, like EMU Athletics on Facebook or visit our website.