ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Emory University used a strong inside presence to earn its eighth straight women's basketball victory, this one a 70-52 win over the University of Rochester at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Saturday afternoon.
It was the University Athletic Association season opener. Emory improved to 10-2 overall, 1-0 UAA. Rochester is 6-6 overall, 0-1 UAA.
Ashley Oldshue led the Eagles with 18 points. She added seven rebounds. Blair Ripley scored 15 points, hitting 6 of 8 from the floor, grabbed 10 rebounds, and blocked two shots. Allison Chernow scored 15 points.
Julianna Okoniewski led Rochester with 14 points. She had five rebounds, three assists, two blocked shots, and one steal. Lena Ethington scored 11 points. Shannon Loiseau had eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocks. Brenna James scored seven points.
Emory took charge in the third quarter, hitting 8 of 13 floor shots (61.5%) and 4-4 at the line. Rochester made 6 of 17 from the field (35.3%). The Eagles stretched a 33-26 halftime lead to 53-39 after three periods.
Rochester fought back to a 10-10 tie after one quarter, but Emory hit nine of 11 from the field – including both three point attempts – to take a 33-26 lead at halftime. UR ended the first quarter on a 6-0 run to force the 10-10 tie: two free throws by Okoniewski, a three-pointer on the fast break by Kenna Lauer, and one of two from the line from Moriah Kunes.
Lauren Foley's layup to start the second gave Rochester its first lead at 12-10. The teams stayed close for more than six minutes. James hit a three-pointer to put Rochester back in front at 19-18, before Emory went on an 11-3 sprint for a 29-22 lead. The Rochester points came on a trey by Tessa Ludwick. She had two of UR's four three-point goals.
Both teams head for the Midwest next weekend. Emory plays Washington University in St. Louis on Friday while Rochester faces defending UAA champion Chicago. On Sunday, they swap opponents.