From Emory University Athletics
The Emory University women's basketball team opened the 2015-16 campaign with 65-59 come from behind win over Oglethorpe University at the Dorough Field House on Tuesday night.
The Eagles (1-0) overcame a seven-point fourth quarter deficit to earn the victory to improve to 30-8 all-time over the Stormy Petrels. Freshman Azzairia Jackson-Sherrod had a team-high 17 points on 7-for-8 shooting for the Eagles and dished out four assists to lead both teams. Junior Fran Sweeney scored 11 points for Emory and added a career-high eight steals, one shy of the school single-game record. Senior Khadijah Sayyid added nine points and tied for the team lead with six rebounds with Dumebi Egbuna.
Lauren Ransom and Emily Buck combined for 49 of Oglethorpe's 59 points with Ransom tallying a game-high 20 points and Buck contributing 19 of her own. The pair also led both squads in rebounding with Ransom grabbing a game-high 12 boards and Buck following suit with 10.
Down 2-0 to start the game on a Buck layup, Emory proceeded to go on a 9-2 run over the next 5:07 to take the lead that they would not relinquish until 7:34 to go in the third quarter. The Eagles went into the halftime break up three, 27-24.
Following the break, Oglethorpe (1-2) opened the second half with 13-4 run to take a 37-31 lead. The teams went on to trade baskets to close out the quarter as the Stormy Petrels took a 43-38 lead entering the fourth.
OU extended their lead to seven, 50-43, at the 7:46 mark of the fourth before Emory went on an 11-2 that spanned 5:10 minutes run to take a 54-52 lead. With 2:36 remaining in regulation, Buck sank a three pointer to put Oglethorpe back in front, 55-54.
Sweeney answered with a three pointer of her own to put the Eagles back on top by two, making the Stormy Petrels call a timeout with 1:38 left on the clock. After an Oglethorpe miss, Egbuna drove the lane to extend the Eagles lead to 59-55 with 1:03 to go.
A pair of FTs by OU's Bailey Charles cut Emory's lead back down to two with 56 seconds to go. But a step back jumper by Jackson-Sherrod gave the Eagles another four point cushion. Buck was fouled by Sweeney with 33 seconds remaining but made just one of the two free throws to cut Emory's lead to 61-58.
Emory missed a pair of free throws with 24.5 on the clock giving Oglethorpe a final opportunity. Sweeney made a big-time block on Buck's three point heave before Sayyid picked up the steal following the rebound. She nailed down a pair from the charity stripe this with 17.5 to put the game away at 63-58. The teams went on to trade free throws over the final seconds to provide the 65-59 final.