The No. 7 ranked Emory University women's basketball program returned to the court for the first time in 2026 with a thrilling victory over the University of Lynchburg Hornets on Saturday afternoon in Lynchburg, Virginia.
 
The Eagles earn their 10^th win of the season and open their Virginia trip with a win against the Hornets. Three Eagles reached the double-digit point mark while freshmen Tatum Olson and Mia Strazza combined for eight steals.
 
Emory opened the first quarter with a 10-1 run highlighted by six points from junior Mary Mullinax. The Hornets looked to close in and scored six more points in the half but three pointers from teammates Chloe Kreusser and Riley Allen sealed a 20-7 lead at the end of the quarter.
 
Lynchburg was held scoreless for the first five minutes of the second quarter while the Eagles opened with a 10-0 run taking advantage of points in the paint. Emory's defense kicked into gear holding the Hornets to just four points in the second quarter while the offense gave the Eagles a 36-11 lead at the half.
 
Teammates Lily Kennedy and Caroline Connelly opened the second half with a bang helping Emory to a 10-0 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter. A three pointer from Olson gave the Eagles a 36-point lead, the biggest lead of the game thus far and the Hornets ended the quarter with a layup for a 56-23 score.
 
The first five minutes of the fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle with both programs scoring nine points in the first five minutes. Emory reached 71 points with 2:54 remaining on the clock while Lynchburg finished the game with an 8-0 run.
 
The Eagles will return to the court tomorrow, January 4 to face the No. 8 ranked Washington & Lee Generals at 2:00 PM in Lexington, Virginia.