EMORY, Va. – The Tusculum University Women's Basketball Team (6-8, 4-6 SAC) used a strong fourth period to earn a 94-81 win over Emory & Henry University (5-11, 0-10 SAC) Wednesday evening in South Atlantic Conference play.
Junior forward Breanna Yarber (Meadowview, Va.) tied a pair of her own school records, scoring a game-high 38 points on 17 made field goals. Both feats were accomplished against the same Tusculum team just over a year ago (Jan. 3, 2024).
The Basics
FINAL SCORE – Tusculum 94, Emory & Henry 81
LOCATION – Emory, Virginia
VENUE – Bob Johnson Court at the John Rutledge King Center
RECORDS – Emory & Henry (5-11, 0-10 SAC); Tusculum (6-8, 4-6 SAC)
How It Happened
- The two squads battled to a 10-10 tie at the 6:22 mark of the opening period. Emory & Henry then went on a 14-7 run over the next 4:04 to lead, 24-17, forcing a Tusculum timeout. The Wasps would score the final basket of the quarter for a 26-17 advantage.
- The Pioneers scored the first 11 points of the second frame to erase the deficit and take a 28-26 lead. The teams went shot-for-shot for the remainder of the half with TU taking a 41-40 lead into the locker room.
- Returning to action, Tusculum opened with a 10-4 run to go up, 51-44, with 6:53 on the clock. E&H battled back to close the gap to 54-52 just over two minutes later, eventually tying the contest at 61 points apiece with 42 seconds left in the third. Five in a row by the Pioneers gave them a 66-61 advantage with 10 minutes left to play.
- Early in the fourth, TU extended its lead to eight but the Wasps fought back to make it a 73-72 game with 6:26 to go. Another 6-0 run from the Pioneers extended their margin to seven (79-72) before E&H made a final push, cutting it to four 85-81. Tusculum scored the last nine of the contest for the 94-81 final score.
Emory & Henry Leaders
- Yarber's 38 points came on 17-of-31 shooting with six rebounds and three assists while senior guard Hannah Spainhour (King, N.C.) had 11 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals,
- Senior forward Emma Santoro (King, N.C.) notched eight points, five rebounds, five assists, four steals and two blocks while senior guard Mimi Traynham (Richmond, Va.) went for seven points and six assists off the bench.
- Sophomore forward Gracyn Hall (Randleman, N.C.) contributed seven points, four rebounds and two assists.
Tusculum Individual Leaders
- Ni'Kiah Chesterfield paced the Pioneers with 23 points, nine rebounds and four assists while Jayln Spurlin went for 22 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
- Abbi Douglas finished with a double-double, scoring 17 points, pulling down 10 rebounds and dishing out eight assists.
- Danyell Booker and Zoe Sharpe each tacked on nine points and three rebounds off the bench.
A Deeper Look
- Emory & Henry shot 42.7 percent (32-for-75) for the game with five three-pointers. The Wasps went 12-for-15 (80%) from the free throw line.
- Tusculum hit 37-of-65 (54.4%) of its shots for the game, also connecting on five attempts from long range. The Pioneers were 65.2 percent (15-of-23) at the stripe.
- TU held a 47-33 rebounding advantage and outscored E&H, 56-52, on points in the paint.
- The Wasps forced the Pioneers to commit 16 turnovers and scored 17 points off their errors.
Up Next
- Emory & Henry will visit Limestone University on Saturday for a South Atlantic Conference doubleheader. The women's game will begin at 2:00 p.m. with the men's contest following.
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