Hollins at Eastern Mennonite | Wednesday, January 7, 2026 | Harrisonburg, Va.
 
The Basics 
Score: Hollins 81, Mary Eastern Mennonite 65
Records: Hollins 10-2 / 2-1 ODAC | Royals 5-7 / 0-3 ODAC

The Lead: The Hollins basketball team wrapped up non-conference play prior to the New Year and opened 2026 with a trip to Eastern Mennonite for their first Old Dominion Athletic Conference (ODAC) game in January. The first half would be a tightly contested contest, before Hollins closed the second period with a 4-0 run to take a 33-29 advantage into the locker room. The third quarter belonged to the Green and Gold as Hollins opened up an 18-point lead on their way to a 60-46 edge heading into the final 10 minutes of play. Eastern Mennonite would cut the Hollins lead to eight on a couple of occasions but each time there was a Green and Gold response as Hollins pulled away late for the 81-65 road win.

Highlights 

• Erin Allen scored inside to get the game started. The first quarter would see three lead changes and two ties as HU would take a one-point lead into the second frame.
• The second quarter would see much of the same with each team taking their turn in front. With the score tied at 29-29, Allen broke the tie and Zaria Holden scored right before the end of the half to give Hollins a four-point edge.
• Four straight points by Sarah Morales got HU off to a quick start. At the 7:22 mark, a Holden layup pushed the lead into double digits. Four consecutive free throws by Holden gave Hollins her largest lead of the evening, 59-41.
• The Royals scored the first six points of the final period to cut the deficit to eight points. Jacorra Russell scored to get the lead back to double figures before EMU responded once again from long range, their seventh 3-pointer of the night. Layups by Holden and Noelani Carter allowed the visitors to regain the momentum.
• The Royals would not go away and used a 5-0 run to make it an eight point game, forcing a Hollins timeout with 3:43 left on the clock. Holden scored to make it 71-61 and Morales hit a free throw and followed it with a layup to put the game away as Hollins picked up the ODAC win, 81-65.
• Holden led the offense with a team high 26 points, nine rebounds, two assists, and a pair of steals. Russell just missed her career high with 19 points and three steals while Morales added 17 points and nine boards. Gracie Huffard pulled down a game high 10 rebounds on a night where HU enjoyed a 54-35 edge on the glass.  

Up Next: Hollins returns home on Saturday when they host Virginia Wesleyan College in the Main Gym at 2:00pm.