Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team hosted North Greenville today for Senior Day in their final home game of the season. Six seniors were honored pregame including, #10 Addie Penick, #11 Maddie Futch, #21 Abby Crawford, #23 Emma Easterwood, #30 Ade'Jah James and #33 Makenzie Caldwell. After outscoring the Trailblazers in the first quarter, the two teams went back and forth, trading points and the lead the rest of the way. The Lion seniors came up big late to help Emmanuel earn the 52-47 win on senior day. With their fourth consecutive win, the Lions improve to 11-13 on the season, 10-7 in conference play. 

The Lions opened up the game with key contributions from their seniors, jumping out to a 7-3 lead behind buckets from Futch, James and Crawford. The first quarter was a battle, with both teams making key plays defensively. The Lions were strong from beyond the arc, going 3-5 (60%). After one, the Lions led 16-13. 

Neither team got things going offensively in the 2nd quarter, with both teams shooting below 20% from the field. The Trailblazers took the lead with 8:28 to play in the quarter and held onto the lead until Hannah Harris tied things up at 18 with 4:10 to play until the break. A three-pointer by Emma Leonard gave the Lions a 21-20 lead with 2:39 remaining, but the Trailblazers closed out the quarter at the foul-line to head into the break up by one, 22-21. 

In the third quarter, a jumper by Ade'Jah James gave the Lions a 23-22 lead early. The two teams traded points and the lead throughout the quarter, with Naomi Roberts and Addie Penick getting into the action. The Lions were 5-12 from the field in the quarter (42%) and a perfect 2-2 from the foul line. After three, the Trailblazers led by three, 36-33. 

In the fourth quarter, the Trailblazers pushed their lead to six early, 39-33. Back-to-back jumpers by Roberts cut the Trailblazer lead to four, 41-38. With 2:55 to play, another jumper by Roberts tied things at 43-43 and a bucket by Ade'Jah James gave the Lions the lead, 45-43. The Lions outscored the Trailblazers 19-11 in the quarter, with the seniors making some big plays late to help the Lions earn a 52-47 win! 

Naomi Roberts led the way with 17 points, 4 rebounds and 2 blocks on the afternoon. Addie Penick, Maddie Futch, and Abby Crawford each collected 4 rebounds, with Penick adding 6 assists in the contest. 

The Lions are back in action on Wednesday with a conference matchup at Shorter. Tip-off is at 5PM. 

For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.