With a chance at a postseason berth on the line, the Emory University women's basketball team gritted out a 55-53 win on the road in Rochester, New York against the Rochester Yellowjackets on Saturday afternoon.
With the win the Eagles move to 17-7 on the season with an 8-6 record in UAA play which sees the Eagles finish the regular season with the fourth best record in the UAA. The Yellowjackets fall to 6-8 in conference play and sixth in the UAA standings.
Senior Claire Brock scored in double figures for the 18th time this season as she led the Eagles in scoring with 15 points while also pulling down eight boards. Sophomore Erin Martin registered her third double-double of the season as she scored ten points and recorded a game-high 11 rebounds. Sophomore Daniella Aronsky continued to add to her nation leading assist averages as she had a game-high five assists while also showing off her defensive prowess as she notched two steals and a block. For the Yellowjackets, Katie Titus led all players in scoring with 20 points as she continues to lead the conference in points per game.
Neither team was particularly efficient from the floor but it was the Eagles who held the edge as they shot 34.4% to the Yellowjackets 28.6% clip. Emory had a notable advantage in paint scoring with a margin of 32-22 while the Yellowjackets had the advantage in trips to the line as they shot 25 free throws to the Eagles eight.
The Eagles jumped out to an 11 point lead in the first quarter as freshman Katherine Martini came off the bench and made an immediate impact scoring four points and registering a block and a steal. The Yellowjackets rallied in the second quarter, out-scoring the Eagles by 13 as they took a 29-27 lead into the locker room at halftime.
The Eagles put together a 6-0 scoring run early in the third quarter, highlighted by some impressive shot making from Martin, that gave them a little bit of cushion. The Yellowjackets were able to regain the lead at the end of the third period as they knocked down a triple off of an offensive rebound allowing them to lead 42-41 heading into the final frame.
The fourth quarter was marked by tight offenses as the two teams went scoreless for an over three minute long stretch before the Eagles were able to create a little separation. Aronsky hit a timely three pointer which was followed up by a layup from Martin off of a beautiful dish from Aronsky that allowed the Eagles to take a 53-47 lead with just under five minutes remaining. Brock would score the final bucket for the Eagles on a gritty drive to the basket with 2:50 left on the clock giving the Eagles a 55-49 lead. Despite a struggle on offense the rest of the way, the Eagles defense was dialed in allowing just four more points to the Yellowjackets, including an impressive stop on the final possession which saw a shot from Rochester's Abby Gress just rim out giving Emory the 55-53 win.
The Eagles postseason fate will be revealed during the NCAA Selection Show at 2:30 PM on Monday afternoon as Emory hopes to obtain an at-large bid to the DIII NCAA Tournament.