FRANKLIN SPRINGS, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team hosted Ferrum College this afternoon in conference action. The Lions jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, but the Panthers responded, outscoring the Lions 21-5 in the second quarter to head into the break leading 35-26. Following the half, the Panthers continued to make key plays, holding off a late run from the Lions to earn the 76-67 victory. With the loss, the Lions fall to 10-5 on the season. 5-4 in conference play.
The two teams traded points and the lead early in the first quarter, with
Naomi Roberts,
Hannah Harris and
Natalee Goff making plays early for the Lions. The Panthers took an 11-8 lead midway through the first quarter, but the Lions answered with 9 points by
Natalee Goff in the final two minutes to give the Lions a 21-14 lead heading into the second quarter. In the first, the Lions were 8-14 from the field (57%).
The Panthers responded well in the second quarter, quickly closing the Lions lead to one point, 24-23 with 5:22 to play. A layup by
Julie Azeltine put the Lions back up by three, but the Panthers answered going on a 12-0 run to close out the quarter, leading 35-26 at the break.
Following halftime, the Panthers pushed their lead to 16-points early, 44-28. The Lions responded with Roberts,
Kate Jackson, and
Lizzie Teasley coming up big to cut the Ferrum lead to 10 with 1:54 to play in the third, 46-36. The Lions would cut the Ferrum lead to 9 on a free throw by Goff, but the Panthers closed the quarter strong to push their lead back up to 13, 55-42.
The Lions started out strong in the fourth quarter with a three-pointer from Teasley to kick things off.
Carmen Cabello-Rivera kept the Lions comeback alive with a layup to cut the Ferrum lead to 8 with 7:36 to play, 55-47. The Panthers responded to push their lead back up to double digits, but the Lions weren't finished. Jumpers from Roberts and a three-pointer from Cabello-Rivera cut the Panthers lead to four points with 1:28 to play, 69-65. The Panthers would close out the game strong to earn the nine-point win, 76-67.
Naomi Roberts led the way with 20 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals, 2 assists and a block while
Natalee Goff added 18 points and 7 rebounds.
Hannah Harris led the team with 4 assists.
Next up, the Lions will travel to Young Harris, GA on Tuesday to face the Young Harris Mountain Lions at 5PM. For more information on Emmanuel University athletics, visit goeulions.com.
