From Washington University Athletics
Junior Madeline Homoly (18) and sophomore Kristina Schmelter (18) combined for nearly half of the Bears points during Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball 75-63 victory over Emory University Sunday afternoon in University Athletic Association (UAA) play to sweep the season series.
The Bears improved to 15-5 overall and 6-3 in UAA play while Emory dropped to 10-10 overall and 4-5 in UAA action. WashU was efficient from beyond the arc, sinking 6-of-11 (54.5%) attempts while also converting 21-of-24 (87.5%) from the free-throw line. The Bears held Emory to 4-of-14 (28.6%) from downtown while the Eagles held a 42-38 rebounding advantage.
Senior Natalie Orr (14) and junior Rachael Sondag (13) also reached double figures in scoring. Homoly concluded the game with her sixth double-double of the season as she totaled a game-high 10 rebounds. Junior Becca Clark-Callender led the Bears 20-13 advantage in assists with six herself.
The Bears built a commanding 22-6 lead but the Eagles responded with an 8-0 run to end the first quarter, which WashU led 22-14. After Emory scored the initial basket, Sondag buried a three that put the Bears ahead. Several baskets from Homoly and Orr helped WashU build the commanding advantage.
The Eagles scored four points early in the second quarter to cut the Bears lead to six. However, a 9-0 WashU run had the Bears ahead by 15 points, 33-18, with 3:26 to go in the first half. Sondag and Orr combined for all nine points on the Bears run. WashU led 41-24 at the break.
Three Bears reached double figures during the opening 20 minutes of play. Orr led the way with 11, while Homoly and Sondag added 10 points apiece. WashU hit 4-of-5 (80%) from beyond the arc in the first half while hitting 15-of-27 from the floor (55.6%).
WashU's 17-point halftime lead was cut to six points following a 10-0 Emory run in the third quarter. Schmelter hit a jumper from the wing on a dish by Homoly to end the 10 unanswered points. The Bears led 50-42 heading into the fourth.
Clark-Callender hit a triple on the Bears opening possession in the fourth after Sondag drove baseline and found her open in the corner. The triple put WashU ahead by double digits once again. The Bears lead did not dip below 10 following Clark-Callender's shot.
The Bears closed out the game sinking eight consecutive free-throws against the Eagles. Schmelter went a perfect 10-of-10 from the line while Orr grabbed six second half rebounds including four in the fourth.
Ashley Oldshue (18) and Linsey Tse (12) combined for 30 points to lead the Eagle's starters. Blair Ripley's 13 points off the bench helped Emory to a 17-12 advantage in bench points.