ROME, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team traveled to Rome, GA to take on the division leading, Shorter Hawks. The Hawks jumped out to an early lead, but a strong 2
nd quarter from the Lions put them out in front at the half 42-34. The two teams were competitive the rest of the way, but the Lions pulled away at the end to win 61-55!
With the win, the Lions move to 12-13 on the season, 11-7 in conference.
Shorter jumped out to an early 6-2 lead in the 1
st quarter. The Lions responded well behind baskets by
Addie Penick and
Naomi Roberts to put them within a point of the lead with 5:09 to go in the first, 7-6. The Lions shot just 2-12 from the field in the quarter but connected on 3-4 from the foul line. The Hawks closed the quarter out strong to take a 13-7 lead into the 2
nd quarter.
The Lions offense got clicking in the 2
nd quarter, starting off on a 7-0 run with baskets by
Maddie Futch,
Lizzie Teasley and Roberts to give the Lions a 15-13 lead. The two teams traded buckets until late in the quarter when the Lions got hot from three-point range.
Naomi Roberts hit a three with 1:30 to play in the quarter to put the Lions up 24-19 and
Emma Leonard followed that up with a three-ball of her own with 40 seconds to play to put the Lions up 27-19 at the break.
The Hawks cut the Lions lead to 6, 30-24 early in the third quarter. The Lions responded well with layups by Futch and Roberts to put the Lions back up 10, 34-24 with 4:56 to go in the 3
rd. The Lions shot 50% from the field in the quarter and led 8 after three, 42-34.
The Hawks started the fourth quarter strong to get within three points of the lead, 45-42 but the Lions roared back with key plays by Roberts and
Abby Crawford to push the Lions lead back up to 7, 49-42. With 5:31 to play in the game, Crawford hit a three to put the Lions up ten, 52-42. In doing so, she became the newest member of the Lady Lions 1,000 career point club. The Hawks got within two points of the lead, at 52-50 with 2:59 to play, but the Lions finished strong to outscore the Hawks 9-5 in the final few minutes of play to take home the 61-55 win.
Naomi Roberts led the way with 21 points on the night, with
Abby Crawford contributing 16.
Maddie Futch led the Lions in rebounds with 10, while adding 10 points for another double-double.
The Lions will be back in action on Saturday at Francis Marion University with tip off at 2PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.
