Senior Selena Castillo and freshman Shellie Kaniut each scored 14 points and the No. 9-ranked Emory women's basketball team used a suffocating defensive effort in coming away with a win over the University of Rochester in the University Athletic Association opener for both squads.  The Eagles remained unbeaten, raising their record to 12-0, following a decisive 74-43 triumph over the Yellowjackets who slipped to 6-6 overall.

Castillo turned in a solid all-around game, grabbing a team-high six rebounds and registering six steals, her fifth outing of the campaign with five or more thefts.  Kaniut converted five-of-eight from the floor, including four three pointers in five opportunities in chalking up her fifth effort of double-figure scoring.  Senior Hannah Lilly and freshman Michelle Bevan rounded out the team's double-figure scorers with 10 points apiece with Bevan's total representing a season high.  Bevan also added four rebounds, three assists and three steals in 19 minutes of play.

The Eagles concluded the afternoon sinking 37.5 percent (30-of-80) of their field goal attempts while holding Rochester to just 30.8 percent (16-of-52).   Emory was successful on 10 three-point opportunities (second-highest total of the season) in 24 attempts while the Yellowjackets were successful on just two-of-10.  Rochester did enjoy a 49-39 edge on the glass, but that was negated by 30 turnovers that led to 29 Emory points.  Emory came up with 19 steals on the day, its sixth straight performance of 10 or more thefts.

Emory led by a 20-14 count with 7:14 left in the first half before holding the Yellowjackets scoreless for a 6:44 stretch while closing out the stanza on a 17-2 barrage that blew the game wide open as the Eagles stormed to a 37-16 edge at intermission.   Lilly got things rolling with a three pointer while Kaniut knocked down a pair of triples during the run.   Rochester sank just six field goals in 25 attempts over the opening 20 minutes of play and was stymied by 19 turnovers. 

Emory was never seriously challenged in the second half as the closest Rochester would get would be 19 points.   The Eagles owned a 21-point margin before exploding for a 12-0 run, with Castillo contributing eight points, to balloon its lead to 55-22 with 13:04 left on the clock. 

Eleven of the 14 Eagles who saw action found their way into the scoring column while 13 grabbed rebounds. 

Emory returns to action next Friday (Jan. 17) when it hosts Carnegie Mellon in a 6:00 pm start.