The Emory University women's basketball program opened the 2024-25 campaign with a 70-66 overtime win against the LaGrange Panthers on Wednesday afternoon in LaGrange, Georgia.
 
The Eagles are looking to capitalize on another successful season after reaching the NCAA Tournament for the second consecutive year last season. Two new student-athletes saw their name in the box score for Emory, graduate transfers Hanna Malik and McKenzi Carter. Senior Morgan Laudick recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 rebounds while junior Katherine Martini led Emory offensively with 17 points, tied for the second best in her career.
 
After almost a full minute of play, the Panthers got on the board first but Emory was able to regain the lead in no time thanks to a three pointer from Malik. The scoring continued on both sides of the court for the next few points before Martini and Malik pushed the Eagles to a 17-13 lead with 3:58 left in the first quarter. Following two free throws from sophomore Mary Mullinax, Martini scored the final two baskets of the quarter giving Emory a 23-17 advantage.
 
Emory was held scoreless for the first two minutes of the second quarter while the Panthers were able to tie the game at 23 apiece. The game remained close with each team putting up baskets while the Eagles were able to take advantage of fouls from LaGrange's defense. Carter entered the scoring run in the final two minutes of the quarter notching two free throws and a layup helping Emory to a 39-31 lead with 1:18 left in the half. A free throw from Mullinax finished things for the Eagles giving them a 40-32 advantage heading into the locker room.
 
Martini opened the second half with a hook shot 47 seconds into the quarter before Emory was held scoreless for the next five minutes. The Panthers worked towards a comeback cutting into Emory's lead, 44-40, with 3:42 on the clock. The Eagles were once again scoreless until late into the third quarter while LaGrange fought back to take a 49-46 advantage into the fourth quarter.
 
The Eagles dominated the scoring to start the fourth quarter with a 9-3 run in the first three minutes. LaGrange once again fought back to take a 60-58 lead followed by two more lead changes in the next five minutes of the quarter. With 29 seconds on the clock, senior Daniella Aronsky was able to draw a foul and made both free throws to tie the game at 64 apiece. Neither team was able to capitalize on last few seconds of the quarter sending the game into overtime.
 
Laudick opened scoring in the overtime period with a layup but the Panthers answered with their own a minute later to tie the game again. Mullinax put the Eagles ahead once more with a layup before Laudick drew a foul in the final two seconds of the game making both free throws to secure the 70-66 win.
 
The Eagles will be back in action with their home opener on Saturday, November 16 as they face the No. 7 ranked Washington & Lee Generals at 1:00 PM to start the Emory Tip Off Classic.