WALTHAM, Mass.- The Brandeis University men's basketball team dropped a tough University Athletic Association contest against 12th-ranked Emory University tonight at Red Auerbach Arena, 65-51. A cold shooting first half and a hot streak for the visitors doomed the Judges as they fall to 7-10 (2-4 UAA) while the Eagles improve to 14-3 (4-2 UAA).
The nationally ranked visitors opened the game on a sustained run as they went up 21-6 over the first 11 plus minutes of action.
Brandeis responded with a 3-pointer from rookie forward Jordan Cooper (Weston, Fla./Sagemont School) and mid-range jumper by sophomore forward Samuel Dowden (Andover, Mass./Andover) to cut it to 21-11 with 6:53 remaining.
That was as close as the Judges would get for the period while the Eagles closed the half on a 13-8 surge to push their lead to 34-19 at the break.
For the period, Emory shot a scorching 65.2% from the field and 50.0% from beyond the arc while Brandeis struggled shooting 34.8% from the field.
In the second half the Judges ratcheted up the defensive pressure after the Eagles lead ballooned to 45-24 with 12:26 left in the game.
Brandeis fought to cut their deficit down to 11 twice. Cooper completed a 17-7 spurt for the home squad with a traditional three-point-play to make it 52-41. The second time was after a tough drive and lay-in by rookie forward KJ Baptiste (Onset, Mass./Brimmer and May) cut it to 54-43 with 5:05 to play.
Emory responded with a 10-2 surge to put the home squad away as they went on to win 65-51.
The Judges had two starters in double-figures as Cooper netted 14 and sophomore guard Robinson Vilmont (Cambridge, Mass./Wilbraham & Monson) added 12. Dowden had a team-high four rebounds while sophomore guard Colby Smith (No. Andover, Mass./No. Andover) tied for game-high honors with three assists.
The Eagles put three players in double-digits led by sophomore guard Jonathon Terry (Greensboro, N.C./Greensboro Day School) who poured in a game-high 18 off the bench. Seniors Michael Florin (Port Washington, N.Y./Long Island Lutheran) and Josh Schattie (Jupiter, Fla./Jupiter) contributed 10 points each. Florin added three helpers while Terry pulled down a game-high eight caroms.
Brandeis continues their UAA slate with a contest at 12:00 noon on Sunday against Rochester at Red Auerbach Arena. Emory stays on the road to face UAA foe NYU.