Basketball takes on Bridgewater

The Eastern Mennonite University men's and women's basketball teams are intensely preparing for games versus Bridgewater College that promise to be both close and exhilarating.

Both the men's and the women's teams hope to have successful games on Saturday. The women play at Bridgewater at 4:30 p.m., with the men's game to follow at 7 p.m. Both coaches and players encourage students to attend, saying that Bridgewater's location in relation to EMU (only a 15-minute drive) and the strong team rivalry make for intense games.

Freshman Kathleen Steele said, "I'm really excited...we are really fired up." Freshman Mandee Madden agreed, "If we beat them it would be a really big win for us."

The Lady Royals' defense, which ranks second in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference in points allowed, will have to continue to play tough against an Eagles team that is averaging 74 points per game. This game will have a big impact in the conference standings. Bridgewater is currently tied for second place with EMU, tied for fourth place, close behind. Seniors Amanda Renalds and Stephanie Matthews, who helped lead the Lady Royals to an ODAC Championship and a NCAA Sweet 16 appearance in 2004, have a lot of playing experience in big games and will be called upon in the backyard rival game against the Eagles of Bridgewater College.

The men's team is also pumped and excited about the possibility of sweeping the Eagles during the regular season. Freshman Darrell Renner said, "It's a rivalry and right now we need a big win, especially against Bridgewater. It will get everybody's confidence up." Senior Dustin Galyon added, "It's a conference game and a victory down there would start us back in the right direction."

In men's basketball, Bridgewater, 5-10 overall and 2-7 in the ODAC, stands close behind EMU. The Royals are 8-8 overall and 3-6 in the ODAC after last night's 86-74 win over non-conference foe, Southern Virginia. Coach Kirby Dean said, "The Bridgewater game is important because we badly need an ODAC win to begin to position ourselves for the ODAC tournament in February."

The men's team has quite a few players that can step up on any given night to produce offensively. Currently, Jason Sager, Korey Whiting, Brad Parkes, Jason Lentz, and E.J. Arrington are all averaging double figures. Senior guard Dustin Galyon is also providing strong leadership despite an injury that sidelined him for a month.

Dean said, "The exciting thing about our present team is the potential that we have. Our present record does not reflect our talent level. If we can just get some positive momentum going the last month of the season I think anything could be possible for this group of guys."

The coaches and players all want to see a huge crowd of EMU fans in the stands of our rivals gymnasium in hopes of recording two strong wins.