The No. 3 ranked Emory University men's basketball team ran its winning streak to 12 games Sunday afternoon, defeating New York University 87-75 at the John Paulson Center in New York.
Four different Eagles scored in double figures on the afternoon as Emory improved to 13-1 overall on the season and 3-0 to start University Athletic Association play with all three wins coming on the road.
Junior Ethan Fauss had another standout performance with a team-high 22 points while knocking down three triples, grabbing six rebounds and setting a personal best with five steals. Senior Ben Pearce nearly missed a third consecutive double double as he finished with 20 points and eight assists. Senior Jair Knight posted 19 points as he also contributed seven rebounds and a team-leading three blocks. Sophomore Harris Jackson shined in 18 minutes off the bench, tying a career high with 14 points on 5-of-9 shooting.
Neither team could gain separation over the other in the early stages of the contest with the Eagles leading 23-20 with 6:52 left to go in the half. After being held scoreless up until this point, Pearce took over play across the following possession as he ripped off 10 consecutive points by himself to push Emory ahead at 33-24.
However, the Violets countered with three straight three-pointers before a Knight lay in ended the run. Despite the answer, Fauss and Pearce connected on three long range shots over the final 1:19 minutes of the half including one right before the buzzer by Pearce to go into the break in front 44-35.
The Violets controlled pace as things got underway in the second half with Violets cutting the Emory lead back to single digits at 54-52 prior to a highlight reel one-handed slam by Knight kept NYU at bay amidst the comeback.
Knight's theatrics helped open a 10-0 run for the Eagles that included triples by Jackson and Pearce to extend the lead back to double digits at 64-52 with 12:03 to play. NYU bounced back to bring the score to 66-60. Knight and Harris then combined for another 8-2 burst for the visitors but Carnegie Johnson drained a three. Not phased, Fauss proceeded to sink threes on consecutive possessions forcing NYU to call a time out with four minutes remaining and facing its largest deficit at 80-65.
The Violets were able to cut it single digits again at 82-73 with 1:05 to go but the Eagles finished the game going 5-for-6 from the charity stripe to clinch the road win.
Emory will return to the WoodPEC next weekend for its first conference games at home. The Eagles will host Case Western Reserve University on Friday, January 23rd at 5:30 PM.
