FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team hosted the Converse University Valkyries this afternoon in conference action. The two teams were evenly matched early, but the Lions pulled away to take a 30-21 lead into halftime. After the half, the Lions continued to control the pace of the game and finished strong to earn a 66-54 victory. With the win, the Lions improve to 5-12 on the season, 4-6 in conference play.
Converse jumped out to an early 4-0 lead to start the game, but
Abby Crawford responded well, scoring Emmanuel's first 7 points to make it 10-7 with 6:16 to play in the first. The Lions shot 45% in the first (5-11), connecting on 2-4 three-point attempts. The Lions took their first lead of the day on a jumper by
Maddie Futch with 1:15 to play in the quarter, and the Lions led Converse 16-13 after the first.
The Lions continued their scoring run into the 2
nd quarter, with a jumper by
Naomi Roberts to make it 18-13. The Valkyries tied things at 20-20 with 5:23 to go, but the Lions answered quickly with six points by
Emma Leonard to make it 28-20 with 2:26 to go. In the 2
nd quarter, the Lions were 5-12 from the field and 3-4 from the foul line. Aft the break, the Lions led 30-21.
The third quarter was a defensive battle, with neither team finding their groove offensively. The Valkyries cut the Lions lead to six early, but Emmanuel answered with key plays by Futch and
Ade'Jah James to push the lead to 12, 40-28. The Lions shot 31% from the field in the third quarter but were a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe. After the third, the Lions led 46-31.
The Lions continued their momentum into the fourth, expanding their lead to 52-33 on a layup by Crawford. Midway through the quarter, Converse went on a run to cut the Lions lead down to 9, 60-51 but the Lions closed the game out strong to earn a 66-54 victory.
Four Lions ended the night in double figures scoring, with
Abby Crawford leading the way with 21 points and 3 assists. Crawford was 4-9 from the field and a perfect 12-12 from the free throw line.
Maddie Futch (14),
Naomi Roberts (11) and
Emma Leonard (10) rounded out the Lions scoring leaders.
Ade'Jah James ended the night with 8 points and 6 rebounds, while Crawford, Roberts and
Addie Penick ended the day with 2 steals a piece.
Following the win, the Lions celebrated Head Coach
Mike Bona's 800th victory, which was earned on December 17th in Emmanuel's 60-43 victory against Mount Olive.
The Lions will be back in action next Saturday at 2PM as they host Lees McRae in conference play. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.
