The Emory University women's basketball team returned from winter break with an impressive 76-68 win over the No. 14 ranked Hardin-Simmons Cowgirls on Saturday evening in Atlanta, Georgia.
The Eagles improve to 9-1 on the season and now hold onto a nine-game win streak. Their ninth win marks the sixth time in program history with nine wins after at least ten games and the nine-game win streak ties the third highest in program history.
Continuing with the history was graduate student Claire Brock who totaled 31 points on the day, her second best this season and the fourth best of her career. She also totaled a season-high eight defensive rebounds on the day helping the Eagles to a total of 43. Also helping Emory on the defensive side was junior Erin Martin who totaled 11 rebounds on the day, her second best this season. Senior Izzy Munson posted an impressive day following Brock with 13 points of her own, her second best this season as well.
Hardin-Simmons looked for an early start in the first quarter holding a 6-4 lead over the Eagles with 5:54 left in the quarter. Back to back threes from Brock helped the Eagles to a 10-8 lead just a minute later. Anna Fanelli of Hardin-Simmons came back with four points of her own to tie the game at 12 with 4:36 remaining. The game was tied again at 14 before a late layup gave the Cowgirls a 16-14 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Munson and Brock started the second quarter with a fire lit under them scoring ten points between the two of them to take a 24-19 lead with 6:41 left in the quarter before freshman Alexandra Loucopoulos got a three of her own to help Emory to a 27-23 advantage. A group of free throws from both sides came late into the quarter with the Eagles still holding onto a 30-25 lead. After back to back layups from Martin and Munson, Emory headed into the locker room with an 11-point 38-27 lead.
The Cowgirls once again looked for a comeback to start the third quarter before Brock posted another layup to widen the lead. After a quick timeout from the Eagles with 6:00 left in the quarter, Brock and junior Daniella Aronsky broke out of the gate with back to back threes to give Emory another 11-point lead. The game was held scoreless on both sides for the next two minute before seven points from Paris Kiser helped lower Emory's advantage to 47-44. Four late points from Brock gave the Eagles a 51-44 heading into the last quarter of the game.
The Eagles were able to outscore the Cowgirls 25-24 in the fourth quarter starting with back to back jumpers from Brock. With 3:07 remaining in the game, Munson helped widen the lead to 67-59 followed by layups from Brock and sophomore Lily Kennedy. Late free throws from junior Morgan Laudick helped the Eagles secure the 76-68 win over the Cowgirls.
Emory was able to outshoot Hardin-Simmons from beyond the arc, shooting 50.0% (7-14) compared to the Cowgirls' 16.7% (4-24). The Eagles were also able to get it done in the paint shooing 48.3% and held the Cowgirls to 36.2% (25-69).
The Eagles will play in their final game of 2023 on Sunday, December 31 against the Sewanee Tigers at 4 pm before opening UAA play on Saturday, January 6 against Rochester at 12 pm.