The EMU Women’s basketball team defeated the Lynchburg Hornets 73-71 on the team’s senior night. Star forward Mya Hamlet erupted for a career-high, and conference season-high 38 points, along with an electric game-winner in the final seconds of the overtime period.
When asked if she thought this was the best game of her career, Hamlet said, “I certainly do feel like this is the best game of my career so far. The confidence I possessed within myself was the most confidence I have ever had in a basketball game.” Hamlet certainly showed confidence, shooting 11-12 from the field, including 1-1 from behind the arc, and was 15-16 from the free throw line. Hamlet also pulled down nine rebounds and nabbed two steals to go along with her 38 points.
The Royals had to claw back a couple of times in the game. Hamlet said she was telling herself, “Even though you’re tired, keep going!” Hamlet noted that she had never told herself that in a game before. Lynchburg hit a three to send the game into overtime, the second overtime in a week for the team. Hamlet noted that head coach Jenny Posey told the team, “We have been here before! This is our game to take home! This is our game to take!” After Lynchburg tied the game at 71 all. The Royals had a chance to win it with 11 seconds left. Hamlet caught the ball at the high post, split a double team, faked right, drove through two defenders, then put up a layup to take a 73-71 lead with three seconds left.
When asked about her electric game-winner, Hamlet said, “During the game-winner, I knew since I had the turnover that ultimately sent the game to overtime in the first place, I had to punch back and put the game away for good when I saw I had the chance. My coach drew up the play and told me when I caught the ball to ‘Go to work!’ So that’s exactly what I did.” Coach Posey said in the post-game interview of Hamlet’s 38 points, that she had never seen a performance like that before in her EMU tenure. She also stated she tells Hamlet that she is “unselfish to a fault.” Coach Posey also stated, whether people like it or not, Hamlet is hands down “one of the best players in the conference.” Posey also mentioned that Hamlet is also “one of the best defenders she’s ever coached.”
When asked about what this win does for not only her confidence, but the team’s confidence moving forward, Hamlet told me, “It gave me so much more respect for my teammates. Everytime my head dropped, or I was frustrated with myself, they were always there to pick my head up and tell me ‘next play!’ I appreciate my teammates and the coaching staff so much. I am excited to see where we end up at the end of this season and the next couple of seasons moving forward!” Hamlet and the rest of the team have much to look forward to. A team with only one senior, the more this group plays together, the more confident they look. The Royals have a chance to play in the conference tournament this season, which would be a massive confidence booster for this young but extremely talented roster.
