HARRISONBURG, Va.- For the first time in a week and a half, the EMU Women's Basketball team got to play in front of their home fans at Yoder Arena, hosting Roanoke for their annual Alumni, Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day. Unfortunately, it was the visiting Maroons who made their way back to Salem with the win, outlasting the Royals by the final score of 65-56.

Grace Burke scored 14 points and pulled down nine rebounds, one rebound shy of a double-double. Jazmyn Taylor tallied 12 points on 6-of-10 shooting from the field, while Kaylene Todd was only a point shy of a double-double, adding nine points and grabbing 12 rebounds.

Cecilia Robinson led the Maroons with 12 points, followed closely by Moriah Tate with 11 points and Abigail Rice with 10 points.

Records: EMU 5-16, 0-12 ODAC | Roanoke 10-11, 4-8 ODAC

Highlights
First Quarter
The visitors from Roanoke got out to a quick 9-0 lead in the game's opening minutes. EMU got on the board with a Todd two-point jumper at the 5:51 mark, but it was the Maroons that led 20-9 going to the second quarter.

Second Quarter
The Royals roared back in the second quarter, outscoring Roanoke 24-14 over that 10-minute span. EMU got things going with back-to-back three-pointers, one each for Burke and Meredith Atkinson. After a pair of Roanoke buckets, Burke swished another three-pointer. After trading a few buckets, the Royals went on a 7-0 scoring run spanning 1:11 of game time. Burke sank yet another deep three-ball, following by a pair of two-point baskets by Taylor. Jayda Jones swished two free throws, followed another shot from the charity stripe by Todd to pull EMU within one of Roanoke at halftime, 34-33.

Third Quarter
Roanoke created separation from EMU with an 8-0 run to start the second half, putting the Maroons up 42-33 at the 6:47 mark of the third quarter. Todd stemmed the Roanoke rally with a layup. Lauren Townsend scored seven of her nine points in the third quarter and Jones made two free throws to keep the Royals within striking distance going to the fourth quarter with the Maroons out front by six, 53-47.

Fourth Quarter
The Royals played hard down the stretch, but try as they might, they could not get any closer than six points as Roanoke fended off EMU for the win.  

Statistical Leaders
Scoring: Burke (14)
Rebounds: Todd (12)
Assists: Townsend (4)
Steals: Todd (4)

What's Next
EMU Women's Basketball will make the short trip to Bridgewater this Wednesday, Feb. 11 to renew the Route 42 Rivalry with the Eagles. Tip-off from Nininger Hall on the campus of Bridgewater College is set for 7:30 p.m.  

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.