Senior Shellie Kaniut scored 15 points to lead four double-figure scorers but it wasn't enough as the Emory women's basketball team fell to Washington University on Friday evening.  The Eagles saw their record dip to 9-4 (0-2 UAA) following a 76-65 setback to the No. 9-ranked Bears who improved to 12-1 overall, 1-1 in the conference.

The second half proved to the telling factor in the outcome as the Bears outpointed the Eagles by a 36-23 margin.  Emory connected on just 28 percent (7 of 25) from the floor during the third and fourth stanzas compared to WU's effort of 46.9 percent (15 of 32).  Wash U opened the third frame on an 11-0 spurt that erased a two-point Emory lead.  Emory crept to back within five points with 4:22 remaining on the clock following a bucket by senior Michelle Bevan, but another 11-0 blitz extended the Bears' cushion to 64-48 with just under 90 seconds left.

Kaniut ended the evening successful on six-of-her eight field goal tries en route to her ninth double-figure scoring performance of the season. Kaniut also doled out a game-high six assists.  Freshman Allison Chernow and sophomore Ashley Oldshue each added 12 points while Bevan rounded out the double-figure scorers with 10 points.

In a fast-paced and entertaining first half, Emory went into halftime with a 42-40 lead, connecting on 58.6 percent (17 of 29) of its field goal attempts, including 44.4 percent (4 of 9) from beyond the arc.  Kaniut led the Eagles' scoring attack with 13 points, draining all five of her field goal opportunities, including one from distance, along with a pair of charity tosses.  Kaniut also doled out four assists during the opening half of play.   Chernow and Oldshue each added eight points.  Lily Sarris was the Bears' top scorer with 10 points, converting four-of-five field goal tries.

For the game WU shot 46.3 percent (31 of 67) from the floor and knocked down 10-of-18 three-point field goals.  The Bears held a decisive 45-28 bulge in rebounding, 17-5 on the offensive end of the floor that helped them to a 12-4 edge in second-chance points. Emory finished with an effort of 43.6 percent (24 of 55) from the field, 29.4 percent (5 of 17) from distance.

WU's Jenn Dynis led all players with 18 points.

Emory returns to action on Sunday (Jan. 15) when it hosts the University of Chicago in a scheduled 2:00 pm start.