Atlanta, Ga., Feb. 8, 2019 – The No. 21-ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team made a late push but ultimately fell 75-66 Emory University Friday evening during University Athletic Association (UAA) play in the Woodruff Physical Education Center.
WashU's 10-game winning streak was snapped in the process as the Bears fell to 15-6 on the year and 9-1 in UAA play. Emory improved to 16-5 overall and 7-3 in UAA games while ending a 14-game skid against WashU. The Bears were held to 11 points in the second and third quarters as Emory turned a three-point deficit to a 13-point advantage heading into the final frame.
The Bears were held to 36.2 percent shooting from the field, while the Eagles converted 49.1 percent of their shots from the field. WashU hit 13-of-15 free-throws (86.7%) while Emory drained 13-of-21 attempts (61.9%). Meanwhile the Eagles hit three more three-pointers than WashU, 6-3.
Senior forward Madeline Homoly posted a game-high 24 points while senior forward Stephanie Botkin contributed 20 points off the bench, draining all three of the Bears treys. Senior guard Becca Clark-Callender also reached double figures in scoring with 12 points.
Homoly wasted little time in giving the Bears the lead by sinking a shot on WashU's opening possession. Clark-Callender put the team ahead by four but the Eagles scored the next eight points. Emory pushed ahead by five points, 13-8, with a three-pointer and 3:46 left on the clock, but WashU closed out the first quarter on a 13-5 run. Homoly scored the final 10 points of the quarter for the Bears as they led 21-18.
The Eagles built a three-point lead in the second quarter as WashU managed two baskets in four minutes of play. Emory led 28-25 but senior forward Stephanie Botkin evened the score with a triple assisted by senior guard Caroline Ballard. Baskets down the stretch by junior center Kristina Schmelter and Clark-Callender helped the Bears to a 32-30 edge at the break.
Homoly led all scorers with 13 points at the break on 5-of-9 shooting, while Botkin added nine points off the bench.
Emory surged ahead of the Bears in the third quarter outscoring WashU 26-11 to take a 56-43 lead.
Clark-Callender inbounded the ball under the basket to Homoly for a mid-range jumper to give WashU the first score of the fourth quarter. Botkin followed by driving from outside the arc to convert a layup while getting fouled for a three-point play to close the gap to eight points, 56-48.
Homoly made a pair of free-throws with 1:05 to go in the fourth quarter which brought the Bears within six points, 70-64, but Emory scored five of the final seven points for the win.
Emory had four individuals reach double figures in scoring led by Ashley Oldshue's 21 points. Allison Chernow (15), Erin Lindahl (12) and Blair Ripley (11) each scored in double digit figures.
Homoly moved into eighth place all-time in Bears scoring history. She has amassed 1,213 points and moved past Michele Lewis (1988-92) during the first quarter as she scored 13 points.
WashU will close out its UAA road schedule on Sunday, Feb. 10 in Rochester, N.Y. with a 2 p.m. (ET) tip-off against the Yellowjackets. Be sure to stay up to date on all your Bears scores and awards by following @WashUBears on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.