LYNCHBURG, Va.- The EMU Women's Basketball team played their first game in almost three weeks on Saturday, resuming their ODAC slate with a trip to Randolph College. Unfortunately for the Royals, the search for their first conference win of the season continues following an 80-52 defeat at the hands of the WildCats.

Grace Burke was a bright spot for the Royals, scoring 14 points on a near-perfect 5-of-6 shooting from the field, including 4-of-4 from beyond the arc. Jeriyah Osborne led all EMU players with 15 points.

For Randolph, Kylie Stark showed why she was an All-ODAC Second Team selection a season ago, leading all scorers with 24 points on 7-of-9 shooting from the field.

Records: EMU 8-5, 0-4 ODAC | Randolph 7-6, 2-2 ODAC

Highlights

First Quarter
Lauren Townsend got EMU's offense going with a three-pointer at the 7:33 mark. Burke added a deep three of her own to give the Royals an 8-5 lead just past the halfway point of the quarter. However, the WildCats countered by closing the period on a 11-2 scoring run to go up 16-10 after 10 minutes.  

Second Quarter
Trailing 18-10, Jayla Gray nailed two free throws to end a scoring drought of over five minutes for the Royals. Those free throws ignited a 16-6 scoring rally that put EMU back out front 26-24. However, just like the first quarter, Randolph had an answer, closing the half with 10 unanswered points to go up 34-26 at the break.
 
Third Quarter
The game got away from the Royals in third as the host WildCats outscored them 26-9 in the period. EMU did not get their first points of the second half until a Townsend layup at the 3:52 mark. Burke sank another three-pointer at the 2:58 to keep her perfect shooting day going.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Royals played better offensively in the fourth quarter with 17 points, their highest-scoring quarter. However, it was too little and too late to mount a comeback.
 
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Osborne (15)
Rebounds: Gray (11)
Assists: Osborne, Townsend (3)
Steals: Osborne (4)
Blocks: Gray (1)
 
What's Next
The EMU Women's Basketball team will play their first home game in over a month when they host Guilford College next Saturday, Jan. 11. Tip-off from Yoder Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m.   

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