The Emory University women's basketball team used a 46-31 edge in the second half to pull away from Huntingdon College Saturday afternoon, defeating the Hawks 72-56 at the Woodruff PE Center in Atlanta, GA.

Junior Blair Ripley contributed a team-high 17 points on 8-of-10 shooting and tied season-highs with 11 rebounds and three blocks off the bench to lead the Eagles to the 16-point win. Sophomore Tori Huggins, making her first career start, tallied 15 points to go along with five boards. Senior Erin Lindahl joined the center duo in double figures as she totaled 14 points in a team-best 28 minutes while grabbing three rebounds and doling out two assists.

A two-point game heading into the final quarter quickly ballooned to a nine-point Eagles advantage as Emory opened the frame on an 11-4 run thanks to layups during a 6-0 burst from sophomore Anna Arato, senior Lindsey Tse and Lindahl before a three-pointer from Arato and a layup by Ripley made it a 56-47 contest with 6:28 to play. The Eagles' lead continued to climb in the latter stages of the fourth, increasing to as many as 17 points with 1:49 remaining before settling on the 16-point final margin.

For the game, the Eagles shot 45.3-percent from the floor (29-for-64) and sank seven from distance, finishing 7-for-17 from behind the three-point line. The Hawks were 22-for-54 (40.7%) in field goals with Shaonica Thomas leading all scorers with 18 points.

Emory looks to head into the finals and holiday break on a high note as the Eagles travel to Decatur Tuesday evening to face Agnes Scott College in non-conference action. Tip off from ASC is scheduled for 6:00 PM.