WALTHAM, Mass.- The Brandeis University women's basketball team used tough defense and balanced scoring to defeat University Athletic Association rival Emory University at Red Auerbach Arena, 68-56. The Judges improve to 10-7 (2-4 UAA) while the Eagles drop to 10-7 (2-4 UAA) on the season.
In the first half, Brandeis rookie center Olivia Shaw (Saco, Maine/Thornton Academy) came off the bench to provide a spark. She led all scorers with 10 points and helped the Judges turn an early 4-4 tie into a 20-12 advantage.
Emory did not back down and responded with a 9-2 spurt that cut their deficit down to 22-21.
The Judges came right back by closing the period on a 14-3 run to head into the break ahead 36-24.
In the second half, Brandeis was able to maintain their double-digit cushion for the majority of the period.
The Eagles' final run at the game came when they scored eight consecutive points on buckets from three different players to make it 55-48 with 7:31 to play.
A pair of free throws from sophomore guard Paris Hodges (Southampton, N.Y./Southampton) pushed the lead back to nine. The Judges extended their lead to a comfortable 61-48 cushion with 6:25 on the clock and traded baskets the rest of the way as they won 68-56.
Brandeis was led by Shaw who poured in a game-high 16 points as a reserve and added seven rebounds including three on the offensive glass. Senior guard Hannah Cain (Gloucester, Mass./Gloucester) and sophomore guard Sydney Sodine (Dix Hills, N.Y./Half Hollows Hills West) joined Shaw in double-digits with 12 and 11 points, respectively. Sodine contributed a game-high nine caroms while Cain shared team-high honors with two assists.
Emory was led by sophomore guard Shellie Kaniut (Vienna, Va./McLean) who netted 14 points. Junior guard Khadijah Sayyid (Longmont, Colo./Peak to Peak) had a squad-high six boards. Junior Ilene Tsao (Fremont, Calif./Mission San Jose) and Michelle Bevan (Missouri City, Texas/Clements) each had two assists.
The Judges continue their UAA slate with a contest against Rochester on Sunday at 2 pm in Red Auerbach Arena. The Eagles stay on the road to face UAA rival NYU.