Sophomores Matt Schner and Matt Davet each totaled 16 points to lead a balanced scoring attack for the Emory men's basketball team in a Friday evening win at home over Brandeis University. Emory won for the third straight time and boosted its overall record to 13-4, 4-2 in the University Athletic Association, following a 92-59 verdict over the Judges who dipped to 10-7 overall, 3-3 in the conference.
Heading into the game as the UAA's top-scoring team, the Eagles reached the 90-point plateau for the 12th time this season, ending the evening shooting an even 50 percent (32-of-64) from the floor including 44.8 percent (13-of-29) from three-point range. The Eagles' 13 triples represented the ninth time this year they finished in double figures in that department. Seven different players found the mark from distance led by Schner's three-of-four effort.
Sophomore Romin Williams totaled 12 points in the win while classmates Nick Stuck and Lawrence Rowley rounded out the squad's double-digit scorers with 11 and 10 points, respectively. Rowley tied Davet and senior Gebereal Baitey for game honors with seven rebounds while Stuck dished out five assists and contributed a pair of steals.
Emory took control of the game over the final 8:31 of the opening half, knocking down 11-of-16 field goals as part of a 29-10 spree that gave it a 55-37 advantage at the break. Seven different players scored during that onslaught with Schner and Davet each producing six points and Baitey picking up five of his nine points. Emory closed out the opening 20 minutes successful on 61.8 percent (21-of-34) from the floor and 57.1 percent (eight-of-14) from distance. Schner rang up 11 first-half points while Stuck and Davet each scored nine.
Brandeis scored the opening bucket of the second half, but the Eagles upped their cushion to 26 points, 67-41, as a result of a 12-2 blitz that saw both Schner and Williams connect from beyond the arc. Ahead by a 19-point margin, back-to-back triples by sophomore Luke Morrison and senior Beau Bommarito keyed a 12-1 run that gave Emory a 30-point moat at 83-53 with 6:46 on the clock.
Emory finished the night with a 42-32 edge in rebounding and turned the ball over on just eight occasions, the third time in the last five games and fourth time this year it finished in single digits in that category.
Emory returns to action on Sunday when it hosts NYU in a noon start.