Emory University junior Austin Claunch recorded team-highs with 19 points, 12 assists and six rebounds, including a key late three-pointer, leading the Eagles to a 93-85 victory over New York University at the Woodruff P.E. Center on Sunday.
Claunch matched his own school record for assists in a game, set earlier in the season again Maryville College. He was a perfect three-for-three from three point range during the game, and shot six-for-nine from the field overall. Freshman Jake Davis matched Claunch with 19 points in the contest to go along with his five rebounds, while sophomore Alex Greven added 18 points and four rebounds.
The Eagles would utilize an early 18-6 run, during which four different Eagles hit three point field goals, to take a 21-10 lead over the Violets with 13:15 remaining in the first half. NYU would battle back to pull within four points, 36-32, with 4:04 remaining. However, the Eagles would end the half on a 13-2 run, capped off by junior Alex Gulotta's third three pointer of the first half with three seconds left in the frame, giving the Eagles a 49-34 lead to end the half, their largest advantage of the game to that point. Emory finished the first half shooting 51.4% (18-for-35) from the field in the first half, including a seven-for-15 performance from three-point range.
Greven finished the first half with 14 points, while Claunch chipped in nine points, seven assist and five rebounds in the opening period.
The Violets would claw back in the second half, cutting the Emory lead to eight with 13:01 left to play. But, the Eagles would score on four-straight possessions, including a pair of threes from junior Justin Resnick, eventually building their lead to 19 points, the largest of the game, on a jumper from freshman Jake Davis with 9:25 left in the game.
NYU would rally again, pulling the contest to within three points, 86-83, with under a minute left to play. However, Claunch would knock down a three-pointer with 26 seconds left in the game to secure the victory for Emory.
The double-double was Claunch's fourth of the season and his third in conference play. His 145 assists this season moved him past former Eagle Paul Damm (1989-90) for the second-highest single season total in school history, and just six assists behind his own school record of 151, set last year.
With the win, Emory improved to 16-4 on the season, including a 7-2 mark in UAA games. The victory was the Eagles' sixth-straight at home, as the squad improved to 4-0 in home conference games this season. NYU dropped to 12-8 overall, including a 1-8 mark in conference play.
The Eagles will continue their four-game home stand next weekend, hosting UAA-rival Washington University at 8:00 PM on Friday, February 11th.
