Lady Eagles Improve to 2-0 in MCCC, Gelinas Sets Record
The Lady Eagles improved to 2-0 in conference playing, winning their third game in a row and improving to 9-6 on the season, after a 91-56 win over the Calvary Warriors on Saturday, January 18 at Pollard Fieldhouse.
Playing their first game in a week, Emmaus raced out to a quick start and a 10-2 lead from the tip. Kia Gelinas paced the way with 12 points in the first quarter propelling the Lady Eagles to a 24-15 advantage at the end of the first quarter.
Emmaus was able to expand their lead in the second quarter, as the Lady Eagles continued to push the action, securing a 49-34 cushion at the half. The Lady Eagles were buoyed on the day, by three, 3-pointers a piece from Kristen Morry and Riley Harding. Harding would go on to contribute in all areas, pushing towards a triple-double and finishing with 18 points, 9 rebounds and 8 assists.
Following halftime, the Lady Eagles kept the pressure on, taking the 3rd quarter by a 25-8 margin and putting the game out of reach. Gelinas, one of the top scorers in NCCAA Division II, went on to finish with a game high, and an Emmaus women's basketball record, 40 points, while shooting 70% from the floor and connecting on six shots from behind the arc.
"Every one of the girls played great on Saturday. We've been focusing on raising our intensity level and staying in 'attack mode,' and that's exactly what they did," said head coach, Heather Cunard.
"Each of the girls are attacking and putting the ball in the hoop, which continually opens up more options for their teammates. Our motto this year has been, 'Be your teammates' biggest fan,' and we have been learning to celebrate each other's victories no matter how big or small and no matter the score. Right now, we are all celebrating with Kia, as she broke the scoring record with 40 points!"
The Lady Eagles return to action twice this coming week, as they travel to Ankeny, IA to face the Faith Eagles on Tuesday night, followed by a home contest this Saturday at 3pm versus Nebraska Christian College.
"This week we will take on Faith for the first time, and Nebraska Christian, who we opened with for our first game of the season," stated Cunard. "Nebraska was tough when we played them in October, and I'm sure they're looking much different by this point in the season. We will prepare for a tough week, and look to bring the intensity and play our best for 40 minutes."