Franklin Springs, GA – The Emmanuel Women's Basketball team hosted King University this evening in conference play. The Lions jumped out ahead early, leading 38-31 heading into the break. The Lions kept the foot on the gas in the 2^nd half, pushing their lead to double digits to earn the 83-69 victory. With the win, the Lions improve to 12-11 on the season, 7-10 in conference action.

The Lions jumped out to an early 14-7 lead in the first quarter on buckets from Natalee Goff, Hannah Harris, Naomi Roberts and Lizzie Teasley. Kate Jackson got in on the action with a layup to push the Lions lead to 16-7. Goff and Jackson closed out the quarter strong to make it 27-13, Lions after the first. In the first quarter, the Lions shot 63% from the field, connecting on 40% from beyond the arc.

In the second quarter, three-pointers from Jaleia Robinson and Julie Azeltine pushed the Lions lead to 13, 33-20 with 4:42 to play in the quarter. The Tornado cut the Lions lead to single digits on a few jump shots, and they trailed by seven to end the quarter down 38-31. 

The third quarter saw the Tornado cut the Lions lead to 4 points early, but the Lions answered to push their lead back up to 10 on a three-pointer from Goff to make it 44-34 with 7:48 to play in the third. The Lions kept rolling, with Naomi Roberts scoring a quick seven points to put the Lions up 53-39 with 3:59 to play in the quarter.  A three-pointer from Goff closed out the quarter with the Lions up by 23, 63-40. In the quarter, the Lions shot 56% from the field, connecting on 5-7 from three-point range. 

Goff, Jackson and Roberts stayed hot offensively to start off the fourth quarter to go up 69-47. The Tornado closed the gap, cutting the Lions lead to 11 with 3:08 to play, but the Lions closed out the game at the foul line, shooting a perfect 8-8 from the charity stripe to make the final score, 83-69. 

Four Lions ended the night in double figures with Natalee Goff leading the way with 23 points. Naomi Roberts picked up 22 points, with Kate Jackson (19) and Lizzie Teasley (11) closing out the leading scorers. Jackson ended the night with 9 rebounds, with Goff picking up 8. Roberts led the team in assists with 8, with Hannah Harris adding 6. 

Next up, the Lions will travel to Belmont, NC to face Belmont Abbey College on Wednesday at 5PM. 

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