By Jacob Spitzer
Contributing Writer
Junior guard Davis Rao takes the balldown court. Rao brought the Eagles a career-high 14 points in the Eagles’ victory over Maryville College (Tenn.) last Sunday. Courtesy of Emory Athletics.
The Eagles once again pulled off a tough win, defeating Maryville College (Tenn.) 68-57 last Sunday. The win improves Emory’s record to an impressive 4-0 on the season.
“It’s good being 4-0,” Head Coach Jason Zimmerman laughed.
In a tight game, the Eagles slightly outshot the Maryville Scots with a field goal percentage of 35.1 to Maryville’s 34.9 and a three-point percentage of 35.5 to 35.3. Emory also had a free throw percentage of 68 as opposed to Maryville’s 53.8. Emory also notched 47 rebounds to the Scots’ 37 and secured more turnovers. The Scots handled the ball better, however, allowing 10 turnovers to 11 to the Eagles’ 10.
“Offensively, we were weaker this game,” Zimmerman said. “We weren’t making shots we had to find a way to win. We stepped up defensively, having our best defensive game of the season. I’m really proud of that effort”
Senior forward Alex Foster achieved his third double-double of the season, knocking in 20 points and securing 15 rebounds. Junior guard David Rao also had a solid game, scoring 14 points.
Leading the Scots were junior post Jaumonee Byrd, with 19 points, and junior wing Spencer Shoffner, with 11.
Earlier in the season, the Eagles’ defense was weaker than Zimmerman and Foster had hoped, they said. After continuing this trend on Saturday against LaGrange, the Eagles defense finally came into focus.
“It’s nice to talk about something on Saturday, and turn it around on Sunday,” Coach Zimmerman said about their defense. The team attributes that success to long hours of practice.ense and more focused with our defense.”
Despite their undefeated record, the Eagles plan to continue to work hard as the season progresses. They are working to make sure every element of their game is at its peak each game.
“We’re really good and we know that now,” Foster said. “We just need to work on putting it all together.”
The Eagles will return to action on Tuesday, Dec. 2 at 7 p.m. to take on the Piedmont University (Ga.) Lions on the road.
—By Jacob Spitzer, Contributing Writer