From Emory University Athletics
Sophomore Adam Gigax scored 15 of his game-high 22 points in the second half in leading the Emory men's basketball team to a Senior Day win over Brandeis University. The No. 24-ranked Eagles raised their overall record to 16-6, 9-2 in the University Athletic Association following a 66-58 decision over the Judges who fell to 9-13 overall, 3-8 in the league.
Gigax closed out the afternoon hitting eight-of-16 from the field, including three triples in six tries, and three free throws in registering his 17th double-figure scoring contest of the season and third of 20 or more points. Seniors Will Trawick and Davis Rao finished with double digits in scoring with 14 and 11 points, respectively.
Emory opened the second half on a 10-4 run, capped with a Gigax layup, in posting a 41-32 lead. The Judges responded with nine straight points and eventually took a 47-43 lead with 9:20 on the clock following a three pointer by Colby Smith. Gigax then scored nine points during an 11-2 charge that pushed the Eagles to a 54-52 margin with 4:37 left. Holding a 56-55 lead, Gigax knocked down a big trey with 2:15 on the clock that moved Emory to a 59-55 lead, and starting an 8-0 blitz over a 1:50 stretch that allowed the Eagles nail down a 64-55 cushion. The victory was Emory's 10th in 11 home decisions this season.
Brandeis finished with a slight edge in shooting, hitting 45.5 percent (20 of 44) from the floor compared to Emory's 45.1 percent (23 of 51). The Eagles were a bit more proficient in three-point shooting, draining seven of 19 (36.8 percent) while BU checked in with an effort of 35.3 percent (6 of 17). Emory enjoyed a 31-26 advantage in rebounding and was paced in that department by Gigax's eight caroms.
Emory started out strong, hitting its first six field goal attempts, including a three pointer by Trawick, in claiming a 13-6 lead with 14:35 left in the opening half. A bucket by the Judges' Jordan Cooper cut the Eagles' lead to three points, but a 10-5 spurt, with Rao scoring five points, pushed Emory to a 23-14 edge with 6:35 on the clock. Seven unanswered points by Brandeis drew the visitors to within two points, and when Robinson Vilmont converted a three-point play, Brandeis had a one-point lead. A free throw by Donald Avant knotted the score, and a triple by Trawick with two ticks on the clock provided Emory with a 31-28 lead at the break. Trawick paced the Eagles' scoring effort with seven points while Copper led Brandeis with 11 points.
EMORY MEN'S BASKETBALL 2016 SENIOR DAY CEREMONY