The Emory University women's basketball program continues its impressive start to the season defeating another ranked opponent on Saturday afternoon in the Emory Tip Off Classic opener.
The Eagles improve to 3-0 after downing the No. 21 ranked Randolph-Macon Yellowjackets, the team's first 3-0 start since the 2022-23 season. The Yellowjackets were also ranked No. 12 by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA). Once again, the rookie duo of
Tatum Olson and
Mia Strazza were two of the best performers for Emory combining for 32 points, posting 18 and 14 respectively.
Emory earned their first three points of the first quarter from free throws while Randolph-Macon pulled away with a 9-3 lead with 5:20 left on the clock. Back-to-back baskets from senior
Lily Kennedy pushed the Eagles back within four points but the Yellowjackets were able to reclaim a six-point advantage. Classmates
Mary Mullinax and
Alexandra Loucopoulos landed three layups at the end of the quarter for a 17-13 Randolph-Macon lead.
The offense exploded in the opening of the second quarter with Emory taking their first lead of the day on a three pointer from Kennedy. A jumper from the Yellowjackets pushed the score to a one-point deficit before the Eagles went on a 7-3 run for a 27-22 lead capitalized by another three from Olson. Emory was scoreless for the next two minutes until Olson broke the scoring drought with a three pointer followed by free throws from Kennedy and Mullinax to give the Eagles a 33-26 lead heading into the locker room.
Strazza entered the three-point party in the third quarter followed by another from Olson pushing Emory to a 10-point advantage, the biggest of the day thus far. A tip-in from Mullinax with 5:40 on the clock marked the last points from either team until free throws and a layup from senior
Chloe Kreusser gave the Eagles a 50-36 lead with 3:29 on the clock. Randolph-Macon finished with a 9-5 run but was still down by 10 at the end of the third.
The Yellowjackets were able to outscore the Eagles again in the fourth quarter and opened with five straight points from senior Emion Byers. After the 8:42 mark, Emory was scoreless again until just over four minutes left in the game with Strazza breaking the drought with two layups and two made free throws. She also ended the game with two free throws making it a 7-7 game for her.
The Eagles will be back in action on Sunday, November 16 in the finale of the Emory Tip Off Classic where they will face the Dickinson Red Devils at 3:00 PM in the Woodruff P.E. Center.
