From Emory University Athletics
Juniors Adam Gigax and Christopher Avant combined for 43 points in leading the Emory men's basketball team to a Sunday afternoon home win over the University of Chicago. The Eagles raised their overall record to 10-4, 1-2 in the University Athletic Association, following an 80-72 over the Maroons who slipped to 8-6 (0-3 UAA).
Gigax rang up a game-high 24 points, his seventh outing of 20 or more points of the season, sinking eight-of-13 field goal attempts and six-of-seven free throws, while Avant, contributed 19 points, his 10th double-digit performance of the year, sinking eight field goals in 10 opportunities, including a triple, and two-of-three from the stripe. Senior Jim Gordon rounded out Emory's double-figure scorers with 14 points.
The Eagles concluded the contest draining 50 percent (29 of 58) of its field goal opportunities compared to UC's 41.0 percent (25 of 61). The Maroons finished with a 39-35 edge in rebounding, with Gigax pacing Emory's effort in that category with nine boards.
Emory led wire-to-wire in securing its fifth home victory in six decisions this season. Behind 14 points from Gigax and 11 from Avant, the Eagles enjoyed a 38-27 lead at the break. The Eagles shot 48.4 percent (15 of 31) from the floor compared to the Maroons' 36.8 percent (7 of 19). Emory sank all six of its free throw attempts while UC struggled, converting just 11 of its 21 opportunities. Gigax was successful on four-of-seven field goal attempts and knocked down all five free throw attempts while Avant finished five-of-six from the floor.
The Eagles drained 12 of their first 22 field goal tries in claiming a 26-17 edge with 8:13 left in the stanza. Gigax produced nine points in that stretch while Avant chipped in six. After the Maroons cut the gap to six, A bucket by freshman Nick Tupanjanin followed by a three-point play by Avant stretched Emory to a 31-20 advantage with 6:17 left. Gigax nailed three free throws after being fouled on a three-point attempt, boosting the Eagles to their second 12-point cushion of the stanza, 36-24 with 2:07 on the clock.
A bucket by Avant boosted the Eagles to a 15-point margin, 46-31, early in the second stanza, but back-to-back baskets by the Maroons sliced their deficit to 46-35 with 16:30 on the clock. Emory maintained its double-figure advantage and would lead by as many as 16 points on four occasions, the final time coming with 6:17 remaining when a basket by Avant made the score 68-52.
Emory still led by a 72-59 count with 3:55 when after a layup by Gigax, but the Maroons responded with a 13-6 spurt that that put them within striking distance, down six with 24 ticks on the clock. After a pair of misfires at the stripe by the Eagles, UC missed a three-point attempt with 14 seconds left that was rebounded by Gordon, who then was fouled and then proceeded to sink two free throws with eight seconds left that closed out the game's scoring.