HARRISONBURG, Va.- After a long wait, the 2025-26 EMU Women's Basketball season got underway Friday night with a home game at Yoder Arena against Penn State Altoona. It came down to the wire, but it was the visiting Lions who came away with the 64-62 victory over the homestanding Royals.

Jeriyah Osborne led EMU in scoring with 18 points on 8-of-21 shooting from the field. First-year Jada Waller put forth a good effort in her college debut, scoring 13 points on 5-of-7 shooting and grabbed three rebounds. Jayda Jones, the lone senior on this year's team, was the third and final Royal in double figures with 10 points.

Avana Sayles was the leading scorer for Penn State Altoona with 16 points with Haley Hicks and Jaidyn McCracken adding 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Records: EMU 0-1 | PSU Altoona 1-0

Highlights
First Quarter
EMU got out to an early 6-2 lead on a pair of buckets by Osborne as well as a layup by Grace Burke. The Royals' lead first quarter got as big as six thanks to a Waller three-pointer at the 3:07 mark, putting EMU up 15-9. Jazmyn Taylor tacked on a pair of free throws, and the Royals led 17-13 after 10 minutes of play.

Second Quarter
The Lions got within two on a McCracken jumper in the paint, but Jones countered with a layup to put the home team up 21-17. After a Addi Schirato layup that got Altoona back with two, Osborne buried a three-pointer to make a five-point margin at 24-19. The Royals kept the visitors at bay for the rest of the period, taking a 32-27 halftime lead.

Third Quarter
Lauren Townsend got the second half started by making 1-of-2 free throws to make it a 33-27 Royals lead. But then Penn State Altoona went on an 11-0 run that started with an Abigail McAlexander three-pointer and was capped by four straight points by McCracken, making it a 38-33 game in favor of the visiting Lions. The Royals got as close as one on a Kaylene Todd layup at the 4:27 mark, but PSU Altoona responded with four straight points to go up 44-39. Ultimately, the Lions took a 54-47 lead with them into the final period.
 
Fourth Quarter
The Royals mounted a comeback with a 5-0 run to start the fourth quarter, thanks to a Waller layup and a Jones three-pointer to get within two at 54-52 just 1:08 into the period. The Lions did not have lead bigger than five points for the whole final 10 minutes. Down 64-62, the Royals had the final possession with a chance to tie or win the game, but a costly turnover and a steal by Laine Wilt sealed the win for PSU Altoona.

Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Osborne (18)
Rebounds: Burke (8)
Assists: Burke (3)
Steals: Osborne (3)
Blocks: Burke, Waller (1)

What's Next
EMU Women's Basketball will have to regroup quickly as they are right back in action tomorrow, Saturday, Nov. 8, with a home game against Regent. Tip-off at Yoder Arena is scheduled for 2 p.m.    

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