EMORY, Va. - The Eastern Mennonite University Women's Basketball Team (20-3, 16-3 ODAC) shot 56.9 percent (33-for-58) for the game en route to defeating Emory & Henry College (2-19, 1-18 ODAC) by an 88-59 score at the John Rutledge King Center Friday evening in Old Dominion Athletic Conference play.

The two teams battled back and forth to a 12-all tie at the 15:27 mark of the first half. EMU reeled off six-straight points to get out to a 18-12 advantage, but E&H would respond with a 7-0 run to go up 19-18 with 9:56 to go in the opening period.

After the sixth tie of the half with 7:11 remaining (26-26), the Royals began to push ahead. A 16-6 Eastern Mennonite run to go into the break gave it a 42-32 lead.

After the intermission, EMU was able to slowly build its advantage and held a 70-50 lead with 8:10 left on the clock. A 9-0 run by the Royals down the stretch put them up by 29 (83-54 with 4:04 remaining), a lead they would hold for the remainder of the game.

Eastern Mennonite was led by Bianca Ygarza with a game-high 29 points and eight rebounds on 11-for-15 shooting from the field. Kala Yoders had 20 points and seven boards while Stephanie Rheinheimer pitched in 14 for the Royals. As a team, EMU shot 33-for-58 (56.9 percent) from the field and held a 41-25 rebounding advantage.

Freshman guard Kristie Langley (Staley, N.C.) posted a team-high 21 points for Emory & Henry, going six-for-10 from the field. Freshman guard Michelle Williams (Stokesdale, N.C.) had 10 points and four assists on the night while freshman center Carlyta Hamm (Wytheville, Va.) registered eight points and six rebounds.

E&H will remain at home Saturday when they take on Bridgewater College in ODAC play at 3:00 p.m. The contest will serve as Senior Day for the Wasps, who will honor their three seniors competing in their last intercollegiate game.

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