The Emory University men's basketball team was handed its first defeat of the season Saturday afternoon, falling at home to Guilford College 75-61.
Sophomore Cale Martens and freshman Benjamin Pearce led the Eagles in scoring with Martens posting 14 points on 4-of-5 shooting and 3-for-3 from long range. Pearce had 12 points thanks to 5-for7 shooting from the free throw line and doled out a team-best five assists. Sophomore Albert Fallas knocked down three triples for nine points with senior Mason Johnson and junior Matteo Whelton adding eight points each.
The second half proved to be the difference on Saturday with the Quakers outscoring the Eagles 42-28 after the two teams entered the break tied at 33.
Emory hit two free throws for the first points of the half but back-to-back threes by the visitors gave Guilford a 39-35 advantage. The Eagles responded with a 14-0 run to go ahead by ten with 11:28 left in regulation but the Quakers cut the deficit to two at 49-47 with eight straight points with Julius Burch contributed with five of his own.
Emory held the advantage until the 7:28 mark when Burch had another layup to tie the score again at 53 with a layup. The basket was in the middle of a 10-0 stretch for GC that put it up 59-53 just over a minute later.
The Eagles made two free throws to cut the deficit to four at 59-55 but the Quakers answered with a 13-1 burst, outing the game away and leading to the 14-point margin of victory.
Guilford won the rebounding battle 46-38 and had the edge in steals (11-5) and points in the paint (28-14).
The Eagles look to rebound Tuesday night with a matchup with Covenant College at the WoodPEC. Tip off is scheduled for 7:30 PM.