GREENSBORO, N.C. – The Emory & Henry College Women's Basketball Team (5-0) is now off to its best start in the NCAA Division III era of the program thanks to a 57-55 win over Greensboro College (1-4) Wednesday evening at Mayo C. Harlow Court. The Wasps eclipse the previous best performance to start the season of four wins which occurred in the 1984-85 campaign.
Emory & Henry jumped out to a 21-6 lead after the first 10-minute period. The Wasps started things off with a 6-0 run and extended their lead to 15at the 3:04 mark of the quarter before both teams went cold in the scoring column. During their 21-point spurt, E&H shot eight-for-12 (75%) from the floor.
In the second stanza, The Wasps extended their lead to 19 on two separate occasions before a 12-1 scoring run by the Pride closed the gap to 28-20 with 2:13 to go before the halftime break. Emory & Henry got the lead back to double digits at the 1:09 mark, but Greensboro scored the final five points of the half for the 31-25 halftime score.
Coming out of the locker room, GC scored the opening six points of the half to tie things up at 31 but E&H went on a 14-2 run covering 6:23 to get its lead back to double digits, 45-33. The Pride put up the final five points of the third quarter for a seven-point game (45-38) going into the final 10 minutes of play.
In the fourth frame, the two squads traded runs with Greensboro cutting the margin to one point with 5:11 to go, 53-52. The pace of the game slowed considerably in the closing minutes as Emory & Henry freshman guard Taylor Blevins' (Abingdon, Va.) layup with 94 seconds left proved to be the difference-maker. The Pride had an opportunity to tie or take the lead on their last possession, but the three-point attempt was off and the Wasps came away with the 57-55 victory and a new school record.
Emory & Henry was led by senior forward Karina Farr (Graham, Wash.) as she posted a game-high 14 points on seven-for-12 shooting from the field and four rebounds. Junior guard Asja Jenkins (Richmond, Va.) had 13 points, five boards, three steals and two assists while Blevins posted her first career double-digit game with 13 points and seven rebounds. Junior guard Megan Jacoby (Richmond, Va.) had eight points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals, hitting six of her seven free throw attempts.
As a team, the Wasps were limited to just 33.3 percent (21-for-63) shooting from the field, their lowest shooting output of the year. E&H did not connect on a three-point field goal in the game, 15 points from the free throw line, 13 points off turnovers and nine second-chance points were able to make up for their shooting woes.
Marla Crawford was the bright spot for Greensboro with 10 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists, nearly achieving a triple-double. Da Jah Joyner had 10 points and seven boards off the bench while Alysa Carbone notched nine points and Monica Smalls added six points and nine rebounds. As a team, the Pride shot 38.7 percent (24-for-62) from the floor and held a 44-40 lead on rebounds, despite trailing, 12-10, on the offensive glass. GC made it to the line just eight times during the game and fell victim to 17 turnovers.
Emory & Henry, which has won 12 of its last 15 games dating back to last season, will put its 5-0 record to the test when it hosts Shenandoah University in an Old Dominion Athletic Conference game on Saturday at Bob Johnson Court. Tipoff between the Wasps and Hornets is set for 2:00 p.m.
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-photo courtesy of Caleb Johnston, E&H '15