ATLANTA – Emory University took advantage of a couple of Rochester cold spells to edge ahead and then went on to an 86-65 victory in the University Athletic Association opener for both schools.
The Eagles used balance – seven players scored eight points or more – and quickness. EU had 14 points on the break. Emory raised its record to 10-2 overall, 1-0 in the UAA. Rochester is even at 6-6 overall, 0-1 in the UAA.
Julianna Okoniewski scored a career high 23 points for Rochester and grabbed nine rebounds. Hannah Lindemuth scored 12 points with five boards. Shannon Loiseau had six points. Alex Sestric had five points and five rebounds. Tessa Ludwig had five points and five assists.
The Yellowjackets shot .426 from the floor, but had some challenges with the long range game. UR sank three three-pointers in the first five minutes (two by Lindemuth, one from Lauren Foley), but did not make another shot from outside the arc. Emory sank nine treys overall and was 9-22 from beyond the arc (.409).
Allison Chernow led Emory with 20 points and six rebounds. Erin Lindahl had 14 points, Molly Weiss (three triples) and Anna Arato scored 11 each. Lindsey Tse had eight points and six assists. Torri Huggins scored six points
It was an entertaining and high-scoring first quarter. Rochester forged ahead early, before Emory assembled a 20-7 burst to take a 22-15 lead on Lindahl's three from the left corner. It stayed at seven, 26-19, after a Lindahl layup. Alex Sestric canned two free throws, then hit a followup and Okoniewski closed the quarter with a foul line jumper to bring UR within 26-25.
Second period was much cooler. Okoniewski's 15 footer got UR within 31-29. UR hit a cold spell and Emory ran off a 10-2 spurt, fueled by a traditional three-point play from Chernow and a three-point goal by Weiss. Lindahl spun in a layup just before the quarter horn and the home team took a 43-34 lead into the locker room.
Both teams are on the road next weekend. Rochester plays at Brandeis on Friday night and Emory visits NYU. They switch locales on Sunday (UR at NYU, Emory at Brandeis)
In the first set of games on Saturday, three of the four home teams won (Emory over Rochester, NYU over Brandeis, 76-65, and Case Reserve over Carnegie Mellon, 78-51). Chicago was the sole road team to win. The Maroons won at Washington-St. Louis, 78-64.