EMORY, Va. – The Emory & Henry University Women's Basketball Team (4-11, 2-7 SAC) snapped an eight-game losing streak Wednesday afternoon, defeating Mars Hill University (4-11, 1-8 SAC) in a South Atlantic Conference tilt. The Wasps saw five different players score in double digits on their way to a big 98-73 victory. The 98 points are the most scored by Emory & Henry since defeating Limestone University 98-87 on December 3, 2022.
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Emory & Henry 98, Mars Hill 73
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (4-11, 2-7 SAC); Mars Hill (4-11, 1-8 SAC)
How It Happened
- The teams were evenly matched to begin the contest as a layup from junior guard Rhyan Harris (Salem, Va.) tied things up at 9-9 with 6:14 remaining in the opening quarter. A bucket from junior forward Gracyn Hall (Randleman, N.C.) moments later gave the Wasps their first lead of the game. The Wasps would finish the frame on an 11-5 run to push their advantage out to 23-15 after one quarter of play.
- E&H continued to see their shots fall as the Wasps established a 14-point lead at 32-18 at the 5:48 mark of the quarter. Emory & Henry's defense locked down the visiting Lions and the offense pushed the tempo, ballooning the home team's margin out to 43-22 with just over a minute remaining in the half. A Mars Hill layup just before the break brought their deficit back under the 20-point mark at 45-27 heading into the locker rooms at the halftime break.
- The Wasps picked up where they left off to begin the second half, pushing the gap out to 23 points on a made three-point jumper from sophomore guard Tori West (Richmond, Va.) to make it 53-30. E&H shot 52.9% (9-for-17) overall and 66.7% (4-for-6) from deep during the stanza to give them the 71-50 advantage through three periods of action.
- Emory & Henry put their foot on the gas pedal in the fourth and a big three from freshman guard Julie Matheson (Boone, N.C.) gave the Wasps their largest lead of the game at 92-63 with 3:28 to play. The Wasps converted all of their attempts from the free throw line in the final seconds to give them the 98-73 win.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Rhyan Harris led the way for E&H with 17 points, six rebounds and a trio of assists. Freshman forward Hali Harris (Richmond, Va.) finished with a career-high 16 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals.
- Freshman guard Kinley Painter (Johnson City, Tenn.) collected a career-high 15 points, six rebounds, six assists, three steals and a blocked shot while Hall had 13 points, four boards and three helpers. West posted 11 points, a career-high six assists, two rebounds and a steal.
Mars Hill Individual Leaders
- Felesia Ondongo had 13 points, three rebounds and an assist while Kindan Dawson contributed 12 points, nine rebounds, five assists, two steals and a block.
- Makayla Street went for 12 points, six rebounds and a block. Cecilee Silver added nine points, three rebounds and an assist off of the bench.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry was 34-for-69 (49.3%) from the field, including 11-for-30 (36.7%) from beyond the three-point arc.
- Mars Hill finished shooting 31.2% (24-for-77) overall and just 9-for-34 (26.5%) from deep.
- The Wasps were 19-for-24 (79.2%) at the free throw line compared to 16-for-19 (84.2%) for the visiting Lions.
- Mars Hill outrebounded the Wasps by a 48-41 margin and converted those boards into 25 second chance points compared to 18 for E&H.
- Emory & Henry forced 20 MHU turnovers that they converted into 23 points. Mars Hill made the Wasps cough up the basketball 13 times, but managed just 16 points off of those mistakes.
- E&H shared the rock, assisting on 29 of its 34 made field goals. MHU finished with 14 assists.
- The Wasps forced the ball inside, outscoring the Lions 40-30 in the painted area.
- The game saw just one tie and one lead change. The Wasps led for 35:11 of the contest.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry continues SAC play at home on Saturday, January 17 against Wingate University for Alumni Reunion Day. Tipoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. from the John Rutledge King Center.
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