From University of Chicago Athletics
The No. 16 University of Chicago women's basketball team raced to its 15th-straight win with a 72-63 league victory over visiting Emory University Friday to open a crucial University Athletic Association home weekend.
Junior forward Olariche Obi had a huge game, totaling 21 points and 18 rebounds and sophomores Taylor Lake (15 points) and Mia Farrell (12 points) chipped in double-figure scoring to help keep the Maroons (16-2, 7-0) in sole possession of first place in the UAA.
The Maroons led Emory 18-14 after one quarter and extended that lead to seven at the half, 36-29. By that time, Obi already had her 11th double-double of the season with 10 points and 10 boards and Lake led UChicago's scoring with 11 points.
Despite struggling from the field at 34.3 percent, UChicago overcame Emory's mark from the floor (46.7 percent) in the first 20 minutes by dominating the boards (26-14), forcing the Eagles into 12 turnovers, and getting to the free-throw line. The Maroons made 12-of-17 in the first half, while Emory went 0-3.
The third quarter saw the Maroons take their largest lead of the game at 11 (4:31), but Emory would make a small run to trail by just three, 51-48, heading into the fourth frame. The Eagles would come as close as two, 57-55, on an Azzairia Jackson-Sherrod three-point play with 6:55 to play, but Obi & Company would answer the call.
Obi drained a tough shot with the shot clock winding down, Madison Dunbar came up with a steal on the next Emory possession that led to an Elizabeth Nye triple from the wing to push the hosts' lead back to seven, 62-55. Emory's last chance came with less than a minute to go and down five, 68-83, but Lake would block a reverse layup attempt and then drain two free throws to help seal the game.
The Maroons shot just 32.8 percent (21-of-64) for the game compared to 46.4 percent (26-of-56) for the Eagles, and both teams struggled from 3, making just two apiece. But UChicago dominated at the charity stripe, making 28-of-38 while Emory was held to just 14 attempts, making nine.
Rebounds went to the hosts, 43-32, and UChicago scored 20 points off 22 Emory turnovers while committing just 12 giveaways.
Jackson-Sherrodd led the Eagles with 16 points and Erin Lindahl had 13 points in the loss.