Senior Adam Gigax scored 13 of his game-high 21 points in the second half in helping the Emory men's basketball team to hard-fought Friday evening win at New York University.   The 17^th-ranked Eagles won their ninth straight contest and improved to 13-2 overall (4-0 in the University Athletic Association) following a 73-68 decision over the Violets who fell to 8-6 overall (1-3 UAA).

Gigax closed out the contest eight-of-13 from the field, including five-of-nine from three-point range in chalking up his 14^th double-figure performance in as many outings this year and fourth of 20 or more points.  Junior Gebereal Baitey was Emory's other double-digit scorer with 14 points, converting five-of-eight field goal opportunities and sinking all four of his free throws.

Emory enjoyed a nine-point lead early in the second half before seeing NYU scrap back to within three points with 15:27 remaining in the contest.  With Gigax nailing a triple, followed by seven straight points by freshman Matt Davet, the Eagles went on a 10-5 run that extended their advantage to 54-46. A three-pointer by freshman Romin Williams kept the Eagles ahead, 57-50, but NYU stayed within striking distance, trailing by a 61-56 margin with 8:03 on the clock.  The Eagles saw their cushion balloon to a dozen points, 71-59, with 4:07 left as a result of a 10-3 blitz, with Gigax accounting for five points during that run.  However, Gigax's trey that closed out the burst would be the team's last field goal of the night as it weathered a NYU comeback bid over the final 3:44 of the contest.  Nine unanswered NYU points, capped by put-back by Dom Cristiano, sliced its deficit to three points with 1:02 remaining.  Emory turned the ball after a shot clock violation on its ensuing possession, gaving the ball back to the Violets with a chance to tie.  However, senior Whit Rapp came up with a steal which led to Baitey being fouled and converting a pair from the stripe with 10 ticks left that closed out the game's scoring.

Emory was successful on 52.9 percent (27-51) of its field goal opportunities including 40 percent (8-20) of its three-point tries.  The Violets saw 48.3 percent (28-58) of their field goal attempts hit the mark, but struggled from distance, converting just 20.8 percent (5-24).  Emory held a slight 28-27 margin on the glass and sank 11-of-12 free throw attempts.

With Baitey and Gigax scoring 10 and eight points, respectively, over the opening 20 minutes of play, the Eagles claimed a 35-28 lead at the break.   Baitey hit four-of-six field goal and both of his free throw attempts while Gigax was successful on three-of-four from the floor, including a pair of treys in three tries. After a basket by the Violets' Douglas Gertner gave the hosts a 15-13 lead, the Eagles responded with a 14-2 charge, with Baitey scoring six points in that stretch, to post a 27-17 lead with 5:34 left in the half.  After five consecutive points by NYU, a three-point play by Christopher Avant, followed by a three-pointer by Gigax, allowed Emory to go ahead by double digits, 33-22, with 2:17 on the clock. The Violets narrowed gap by scoring six of the stanza's final eight points over the final 1:54 of the half.  The Eagles shot 56.5 percent (13-23) from the field in the half compared to NYU's 42.9 percent 13-28).

 
Emory returns to action on Sunday (Jan. 21) when it plays at Brandeis in a noon start.