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Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Athletics

WBB Bench Celebration
Kyrin Mayfield
64
Winner Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 5-0,1-0 Sunshine State
61
Valdosta St. VSU 2-3,0-0 Gulf South
Winner
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU
5-0,1-0 Sunshine State
64
Final
61
Valdosta St. VSU
2-3,0-0 Gulf South
Score By Periods
Team 1 2 3 4 F
Embry-Riddle (FL) ERAU 16 14 16 18 64
Valdosta St. VSU 15 20 16 10 61

Game Recap: #14 Women's Basketball | | Zach Phillips

No. 9 Women’s Basketball Hits Game-Winner in 64-61 Win Over Valdosta State

VALDOSTA, Ga. – The No. 9 Embry-Riddle women's basketball team escaped with a hard-fought road win over Valdosta State on Saturday afternoon. The Eagles were led by a dominant second half from redshirt freshman Eliana Sheplee, who poured in 20 points after halftime, highlighted by a record-breaking performance at the free-throw line. Sheplee finished with a game-high 25 points and went 15-for-17 at the stripe, setting new program records for free throws made and attempted in a single game.

RECORDS:
Embry-Riddle: 5-0, (1-0 SSC)
Valdosta State: 2-3, (0-0 GSC)

GAME NOTES
  • The Eagles stayed at No. 9 in the nation in the latest WBCA Coaches' Poll (Nov. 25).
  • This was the first-ever meeting between the Eagles and Blazers
  • ERAU currently ranks top five in the country in field goal percentage (2nd), rebound margin (5th) and scoring margin (5th).
KEY PERFORMERS
Embry-Riddle Valdosta State
  • Player 1: Erin Whalen - 18 pts, 8 reb
  • Player 2: Amaya Broadus - 10 pts, 10 reb

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter
  • There was a frantic pace to the first quarter, with the Eagles putting up 15 shots and eight free throws, while Valdosta State had 20 field goal attempts in the opening frame.
  • The Blazers were relying on their defense to keep them in the game until their offense got going, as VSU forced six turnovers from ERAU in the first 10 minutes.
  • Both teams were shooting less than 30% at the end of the quarter, but after going 7-for-8 at the free throw line, Embry-Riddle held on to a one point lead at the end of the quarter.
Second Quarter
  • Both offenses settled in during the second quarter, as they combined to shoot 50% from the field. 
  • After a buzzer-beating layup from Kaci Demps, Valdosta State went into the break with the largest lead of the half, 35-30. The game stayed close throughout with 11 total lead changes in the half.
  • Lengemann led the way in the first half for the Eagles with nine points and four rebounds. Satchell added seven more points, three boards, and a block.
Third Quarter
  • Back-to-back baskets to open the quarter gave Valdosta State its largest lead of the game at 39-30.
  • Sheplee then took over, scoring 20 points after the break, including 12 made free throws in the second half—10 of which came in the third quarter alone.
  • After both teams connected on at least one three-pointer in each of the first two quarters, the teams combined to shoot 1-for-13 from deep in the second half.
  • ERAU got the Blazers' lead down to just three points after going on a 6-1 run, including a pair of free throws from Kailey Turpening.
Fourth Quarter
  • With everything still to play for, both offenses came alive to start the fourth. The two teams started the quarter with five consecutive made shots, including back-to-back jumpers from Lengemann.
  • Valdosta State held the lead for most of the quarter but could never stretch their lead beyond five.
  • A jumper by Whalen put the Blazers ahead 61-57 with 3:28 remaining, but they would not score again. ERAU closed the game on a 7-0 run.
  • Layups from Satchell and Sheplee tied the game with 90 seconds left, and the Eagles then forced two straight turnovers to give themselves the last shot.
  • Inbounding with 22 seconds remaining, Embry-Riddle found Sheplee for a go-ahead layup plus the foul, giving the Eagles a 64-61 lead with six seconds on the clock. Turpening sealed the win with a crucial block on the final possession.
INSIDE THE STATS
  • Embry-Riddle has already tallied 17 top-10 all-time marks through the first five games of the season.
  • Sheplee has set six of the top-10 all-time marks in her first month with the Blue and Gold.
  • The Eagles' starting five set the tone, accounting for all but three of the team's points. Sheplee, Lengemann, and Satchell combined for 51 of the 64 points.
  • ERAU controlled the interior throughout the game, scoring more than 80% of its points in the paint or at the free-throw line and winning the rebounding battle.
UP NEXT
The Eagles will have another week off before returning to conference play. Embry-Riddle heads to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, on Saturday, December 6, for a 2 p.m. matchup against No. 12 Nova Southeastern. The Sharks enter the contest at 7-0, coming off an 81–45 victory over Georgian Court.
 
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