The Emory University men's basketball team outpaced crosstown rival Oglethorpe University, 94-82, in a track meet to open the 2023 calendar.

The Eagles crossed the 90 points threshold for the third time this season, en route to finishing the non-conference slate with a 9-2 record. Seven players had seven points or more as the Eagles were led by senior Mason Johnson and freshman Benjamin Pearce who combined for 45 points.

Johnson was a monster in the low post, going for a game-high 23 points and grabbing a career-best 14 rebounds while shooting 10-for-16 from the field. Pearce notched at least 20 points for the third straight game, posting 22 points and tied for the team lead with five assists. Sophomore Cale Martens joined Johnson and Pearce in double figures, scoring 11 points and corralled 12 rebounds for his third double-double of the year.

The Eagles never trailed for the wire-to-wire victory, racing out to an early 23-9 lead within the game's opening seven minutes and never looked back. Emory used that early lead to hold a double digit lead for the most of the first half before Oglethorpe sliced the deficit to as a close as six at 42-36 with 3:01 to go prior to settling on the 50-43 halftime margin. Emory maintained its arm-length distance in the second half, never seeing the lead dwindle under five points and led by as many 17 in the deep stages of the second half.

For the game, the Eagles shot 40-percent from the floor compared to the Stormy Petrels 37-percent clip as the two sides combined for 158 shot attempts. Emory cleaned up on the glass with a season-high 60 rebounds to OU's 45, leading to 21 second chance points.

The Eagles continue their current homestand this Saturday with the UAA opener against No. 5 ranked University of Rochester. Tip off from the WoodPEC is set for 4:00 PM.