The Emory University women's basketball team battled back from a nine-point first quarter deficit to defeat Washington University, 60-56, Friday night to earn its first conference win of the season.
Junior Claire Brock continued her torrid stretch for the Eagles as she put up another 17 points including the pivotal free throw in the final seconds to ice the game. Junior Mariana Auza had her fingerprints all over Emory's win as she finished the game with five steals, two blocks, seven rebounds and seven points. Senior Kennedy Carter had one of her better performances of the season, going for 10 points on 66% shooting while also dishing out four assists. For WashU, Samanatha Weaver came off the bench to lead the team in scoring, contributing 15 points as well as eight rebounds.
The biggest difference maker for the Eagles on the day was their ability to score in a variety of ways. The Eagles outscored the Bears 12-6 at the free throw line and also put down four more three-pointers than the Bears while shooting 37.5% from beyond the arc. Emory's defensive pressure proved too much for WashU to handle as they forced the Bears into 18 total turnovers for 13 points.
WashU opened the game with defensive intensity holding the Eagles to just five first quarter points and a 12-0 run by the Bears saw them head into the second with a 14-5 lead. However, everything changed for the Eagles in the second quarter. On the first play of the quarter Brock nailed a three and that was followed by consecutive blocks from Auza and senior Tori Huggins and Auza. With the intensity ramped up on the Emory side, they went on a 10-0 run of its own in the second, flipping the game script to take a six-point lead into halftime.
From there the game would see-saw back and forth with each team making their own mini-runs all the way into the fourth quarter. WashU held a five point advantage with 3:18 remaining in the game but a strong 6-0 run by the Eagles, thanks to gritty free throws from sophomore Izzy Munson and Brock, saw the Eagles retake the lead with 57 seconds left. After WashU tied the game up at 56, Auza sealed the game for the Eagles with a couple of clutch plays. After a timeout from the Eagles, Auza scored a layup on a beautifully run after-timeout play and then on the very next play, generated her fifth and final steal of the game to put the Eagles ahead once and for all.
The Eagles return to action tomorrow, January 15 against the University of Chicago Maroons at 6:00 PM at the Woodruff PE Center. (NOTE: This game was originally scheduled for Sunday but has been moved to Saturday due to anticipated inclement weather.). As a reminder, no fans will be permitted inside the Woodruff PE Center for the game as Emory continues operating under an orange operating condition.