FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Embry-Riddle women's basketball team wrapped up the GSC/Crossover Classic with a perfect 2-0 record following a 77-59 win over Auburn-Montgomery, Saturday at Nova Southeastern's Rick Case Arena. Facing AUM for the first time since defeating the Warhawks exactly one year ago, the Eagles shot 62.1 percent (36-of-58) from the field to improve their overall record to 2-0.
Keturah Balabyekkubo led all players with 17 points to go with eight rebounds and a career high six steals in 31 minutes on the floor, while
Jenna Teterycz was one point shy of her career-best with 16 points.
Mary Lengemann had her second career-high scoring game in a row with 11 points and her point total was matched by
Madyson Jean-Louis.
Kailey Turpening also had a career night in assists and rebounds totaling eight in each category.
The game got off to a slow start as both teams combined for just four points in the first 6:30. Following a media timeout, Lengemann scored her first bucket of the game and that keyed a 13-4 run that put the Eagles up 17-8 at the end of the quarter.
The start of the second quarter saw the Warhawks go on an 8-0 run to start the frame to close the gap to 17-16 in favor of the Eagles. Baskets by
Eva Zaragoza and Jean-Louis helped the Eagles build the lead back up to five points (21-16) and they led 27-24 with 3:45 left in the period. But the Warhawks put together a late run, outscoring ERAU 9-4 in the last 3:17 to take a 33-31 lead at the half.
Whatever momentum the Warhawks had to end the first half shifted completely in favor of the Eagles who went on a 16-6 run to start the third period. Shooting 70.6 percent (12-of-17) from the field, the Eagles forced eight turnovers and scored 11 points off those miscues on the way to outscoring AUM 25-8 in the frame and taking a 15-point (56-41) advantage into the final period.
The Eagles' shooting was even better in the fourth quarter as they made nine of their 12 shots (75 percent) in the final 10 minutes of play on the way to wrapping up their second double-digit victory in as many games.
The Eagles will play their first home game of the season at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday when they host University of Puerto Rico -Rio Piedras at the ICI Center.
The 2023-24 Embry-Riddle women's basketball season is presented by Daytona Mitsubishi.
