SALEM, Va. --- Jenkins connected on six three-pointers to help Roanoke overcome a six-point halftime deficit in a 68-50 defeat over Eastern Mennonite in ODAC Women's Basketball Action Saturday evening at the Bast Center. The victory improved the women's record to 11-2 overall and 7-2 in the ODAC. The Royals fell to 10-4 and 5-4 in the conference.

 

Jenkins recorded a career-high of 24 points and added four assists, five rebounds in the victory. She went 6-for-9 from beyond the arc for a career-high of six three-pointers. Jenkins six treys rank her third all-time in three-pointers made in a single-game behind Marcee Hufton '96 (7) with Toree Morris with the record with eight (2/14/98 vs. W&L).

 

The Maroons rallied from a 10-point second-half deficit and finished the contest outscoring the Royals, 36-8 in the final 18 minutes of the game.

 

The 11-2 record is the best start for the Maroons since 1998-99 season (12-2). The 68-50 decision was Roanoke's 55^th win over EMU and broke a two-game losing streak against the Royals.

 

Roanoke shot 20 percent from three point range and 48.1 percent from the field in the first period to 72.7 percent and 53.6 percent respectively in the second half. The Royals went from 66.7 percent beyond the arc and 46.4 percent from the field in the first half to 20 percent in both categories during the second period. 

 

The Maroons out-rebounded EMU 33-30 which aided in the 22-16 advantage from points in the paint. Roanoke also held an 8-2 edge in fast break points which contributed to their 11 point difference in points off turnovers (19-8). The Royals outscored the Maroons in bench points (7-6) and in second chance points (12-10).

 

Eastern Mennonite jumped out first with a three pointer from Brittany Snyder only to be answered with a two pointer from Erin Jenkins. Snyder then drained another trey before an additional Jenkins jumper cut the Royals lead (6-4) to two at 18:07.

 

Melissa Lewis started an eight point run for EMU when she sank one from behind the arc at the 14:17 minute mark. Lewis followed her three by hitting the front and back end at the line. Snyder then hit her fourth three of the half to give EMU the largest lead of the half (20-10) with 11:53 remaining.

 

The Royals upheld their lead throughout the rest of the period despite both teams volleying back in forth in shots made. Roanoke managed to decrease the lead (36-30) to six after Jordan Gholson tipped in a rebound with 0:24 seconds remaining in the half.

 

Snyder drained her fifth three pointer of the night just nine seconds into the second half to give EMU a nine point lead (39-30). Gholson responded with a lay-up only to be outdone again with a bucket and free throw from Miranda Wolfe to make it 42-34 at the 18:03 minute mark. 

 

The Royal lead stood around eight until Jenkins connected from beyond the arc to bring the Maroons within five at 16:32. Several minutes later, Virginia Anne Hagood made a two-pointer followed by another trey from Jenkins to give Roanoke the first and final lead (48-44) of the night.

 

EMU cut the Roanoke lead to two (48-46) with 11:27 remaining but with the momentum on Roanoke's side, the Maroons slowly pulled away.

 

Back-to-back three pointers from Lindsay Skaff and Caitlyn Long increased the lead (63-46) to 17 with 7:40 left in the half.   Snyder hit her final three-pointer of the contest at 5:10 to make it, 63-49, but the deficit was too large for the Royals.

 

Hagood made a basket for two at the 4:40 minute mark followed by a Wolfe free throw. Jenkins put the icing on the cake with her sixth and final three pointer of the game with 1:10 left to play to make the final score 68-50.

 

Osborne recorded a career-high nine assists for fourth all time in assists in a single game. She needs seven more steals to tie Marcee Hufton '96 for seventh all-time.

 

Gholson tied Long as the team's second leading scorer with 12 points. She also pulled down 10 boards for her second career double-double. Long contributed five rebounds, five assists and three steals.

 

Snyder led the Royals with 20 points, 18 of them from beyond the arc where she was 6-for-6. Wolfe and Danielle Scott scored eight apiece and added a combined 13 rebounds. Melissa Lewis also added seven points and a team-high five assists in the loss.

 

The women return to action on Tuesday, Jan. 20, as they host Bridgewater in conference action. Roanoke holds a 52-28 all-time series advantage against Bridgewater and has won the last five-straight. Game time is set for 7 p.m.

 

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