HARRISONBURG, Va.- EMU Women's Basketball concluded their 2025-26 season on Saturday, hosting Lynchburg for Senior Day as well as EMU's National Girls and Women in Sports Day celebration inside Yoder Arena.
Jayda Jones, the Royals' lone senior, was honored in a pregame ceremony.
Unfortunately, the final result did not go the home team's way as Lynchburg closed the game on a 17-0 run to take the 54-39 win.
Records: EMU 5-20, 0-16 ODAC | Lynchburg 13-12, 6-10 ODAC
Highlights
First Quarter
Fittingly, it was the senior guard Jones who scored the first basket of the game for EMU, a driving layup at the 8:47 mark. However, it was the visiting Hornets who led 9-7 after a low-scoring first quarter.
Second Quarter
Lynchburg opened the second quarter on a 9-2 scoring run.
Grace Burke sank a jumper to stop the Hornets' run and get the Royals within seven at 18-11. After a Lynchburg three-pointer, Burke scored the next five points on her own with a three-pointer and a driving layup to get EMU within five. Lynchburg went to the locker room up 23-18 over EMU.
Third Quarter
The Royals started the second half fast, going on a 10-3 run over the first 4:40 of the third quarter.
Jeriyah Osborne sank a driving layup to make it one-possession game. Following a Lynchburg three-pointer, Burke swish back-to-back shots beyond the arc to tie the game at 26. Osborne then sank a two-pointer jumper to give the Royals their first lead since the opening basket of the game. Lynchburg did close out the quarter on a 9-2 run to take a narrow 37-34 lead into the final 10 minutes.
Fourth Quarter
EMU scored the first five points of the fourth quarter on an Osborne three-pointer and two free throws by
Lexie Dingus. This gave EMU a two-point lead, 39-37. However, the Hornets swarmed the Royals the rest of the way, going on a 15-0 run over the final 8:23 of the game to secure the win.
Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Burke (17)
Rebounds: Burke (8)
Assists: Atkinson, Jones, Taylor (1)
Steals: Osborne (5)
Blocks: Osborne (2)
What's Next
The concludes the 2025-26 campaign for EMU Women's Basketball. With only one senior graduating, the Royals bring back plenty of experience as they look to right the ship in 2026-27.
