2007-08 Headlines

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL SQUAD EARNS SPOT ON WBCA ACADEMIC TOP 25 HONOR ROLL

(July 15) -  The 2007-08 Emory University women’s basketball program was recognized for its collective performance in the classroom, earning a spot on the Women’s Basketball Coaches Association Academic Top 25 Team Honor Roll for Division III.  The awards recognize teams throughout the nation in NCAA Division I, Division II, Division III as well as NAIA and junior colleges that have compiled the highest grade-point averages for the past academic year based upon nominations submitted by WBCA-member coaches.

The Eagles of Head Coach Christy Thomaskutty held down the No. 4 position on the Top 25 list, fashioning a GPA of 3.50 for the ’07-08 school year.  The Emory squad had a strong showing during the recently completed spring semester, posting a 3.53 effort on the academic front. The Eagles were the lone representative from the University Athletic Association (UAA) to make the Top 25.  Concordia University (WI) claimed the No. 1 ranking among Division III programs with a 3.637 GPA and was followed by Messiah College (3.627).

“Emory is a prestigious institution that challenges its students to be the best that they can be,” Thomaskutty said.  “The team doing as well as it did is a testament to the drive and commitment that the players have for all aspects of their lives.”

South Dakota State University and the University of South Dakota were the No. 1 finishers in NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II, respectively.  The GPAs were calculated by dividing the total number of quality points earned by each student-athlete on an institution’s roster in the given academic terms by the total number of hours earned by the team. 

To see the WBCA Academic Top 25 Honor Roll, click here

The 2007-08 Emory women’s basketball team recorded its second winning campaign in the last three years, winding up with an overall record of 14-11, a four-game improvement from the previous year.   In addition, the ever-improving Eagles of head coach Christy Thomaskutty roared back from a 0-4 start to post a 7-7 won-lost ledger in University Athletic Association action, the most victories in league play since the 1999-2000 season.

To say the least, Emory played a formidable schedule, taking the court 11 times against six teams (4 UAA opponents, 2 non-league foes) that earned berths to the NCAA Tournament.  In the Massey Ratings, the Eagles were ranked 49th nationally and endured the nations’ 23rd-toughest schedule.  D3hoops.com had Emory’s slate of games ranked as the fourth most difficult among Division III squads.

Emory claimed three wins over opponents who were ranked among the top 25 at the time of the meetings -- at No. 17 Rochester (59-56) and at home against No. 21 New York University (80-68) and No. 23 Washington University (68-66).

Also highlighting the season were the following team accomplishments:

** Leading the UAA in scoring in overall play (68.0 ppg) while ranking second in conference outings (65.4 ppg).  The Eagles’ 68.0 per-game average was the highest mark during Coach Thomaskutty’s five-year tenure.

** Shattering the school seasonal record with 151 three-point field goals.  The previous standard was 112 set during the 2005-06 and 2006-07 campaigns. 

** Establishing a school seasonal record with a UAA-leading 38.0 percent mark from three-point range, good for the No. 7 position nationally.  In conference affairs, Emory shot even better from distance, knocking down a loop best 39.1 percent.

** Leading all UAA clubs in steals in both overall (10.2 spg) and league (9.86 spg) action.

** Holding down the No. 2 spot on the UAA list in free throw shooting (72.0%) in overall play.

** Tying the school single-game standard with 12 three-point field goals against NYU (Feb. 1, 2008)

** Tying the school single-game record by draining 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from beyond the arc against Carnegie Mellon (Feb. 22, 2008).

Individually, junior Lora Turner led the team in both scoring and rebounding for the second consecutive season, tossing in career-high 14.3 points while snaring 6.5 boards per outing.  Turner landed First Team All-UAA honors, the first Emory cager to receive such recognition since 2001-02, and finished among the top 10 UAA performers in numerous statistical categories in overall play including scoring (4th), rebounding (7th), field goal percentage (1st, 52.5%), free throw percentage (4th, 72.7%) and offensive rebounds (2nd, 3.08).  The 5-foot-11 frontliner either led or tied for the team lead in scoring in 14 contests and recorded 21 games of double-figure scoring including five efforts of 20 or more points.  She notched a career-high 25 points in a 70-66 overtime win against eventual NCAA Tournament participant Piedmont College and in the process set an Emory single-game record when she sank all 15 of her free throw opportunities.  She finished as the team’s top rebounder in 14 affairs including a career-high 16 carom showing against Montclair State in a 55-54 win.  Turner registered three double-doubles during the year, boosting her career total to seven.  At the conclusion of the ’07-08 season, Lora held down the No. 15 spot on the school’s all-time scoring list (775 pts.) and was 13th in rebounding (442 rebs.).

Junior Erica Kaplan, a starter in 24 of 25 games, ended up shooting her way to a second-team berth on the All-UAA Team.  The 5-foot-7 Kaplan, the team leader in minutes (27.8 mpg), was second on the team in scoring (10.5 ppg) while topping the squad and placing fifth among UAA players with a 36.7 percent mark from three-point range (40-of-109).  Kaplan’s 40 three-pointers tied her for eighth on the school’s seasonal ladder while her percentage was good for 10th place.  The Eagles’ top point producer in seven contests, Kaplan registered 12 double-figure scoring performances including two showings of 20 or more points, one of which was a season-high 25 point afternoon in sparking the team to a 64-61 win at NYU.  Already established as one of the UAA’s top free throw shooters, Kaplan hit a league-leading best 86.4 percent (57-of-66) from the charity stripe in overall play and was successful on a mind-boggling 91.1 percent (41-of-45) in conference action.  Kaplan was a factor on the glass as well and wound up leading the Eagles in rebounding in six outings while holding down the No. 2 spot on the team  (5.0 rpg). 

Sophomore LeShonda Lillard made a big impact in her first year with the program after transferring from Mercer University.  Directing the Eagles’ offense from her point guard position, the 5-foot-6 Lillard started 23 of 24 games and averaged 9.8 points (third on the club) and a team-best 2.92 assists per game, good for sixth place among UAA players.  Lillard, an honorable-mention pick to the All-UAA Team, was the squad’s leader in assists on 13 occasions and managed to score in double figures in 14 games including a pair of season-high 18-point games against Washington University (Jan. 18) and NYU (Jan. 27).  While Lillard made her presence known on the offensive end of the floor, she proved to be a formidable defender, racking up a team-leading 57 steals, fourth on Emory’s seasonal chart.  Lillard finished with steals in 20 outings, including 18 of two or more thefts, and her 2.38 per-game average ranked her second on the UAA chart.

The lone senior on the team, Kristen Brown enjoyed a solid campaign, seeing action in all 25 games, 23 in a starting capacity, and finishing fourth on the squad in scoring (6.2 ppg) and third in rebounding (4.8 rpg).  The 5-foot-11 Brown’s knack for hitting mid-range jumpers gave Emory a boost on numerous occasions while her play on the boards enabled her to claim team rebounding honors in six games.

All-University Athletic Association
Lora Turner                              First Team                    Florence, AL
Erica Kaplan                            Second Team               Commack, NY
LeShonda Lillard                      Honorable Mention       Bloomington, IN

CoSIDA Academic All-District
Lora Turner                              (Third Team)                Florence, AL

UAA Player of the Week

In addition to his women’s basketball duties at St. Francis, Ebert was an assistant coach for the school’s football team in 2007 and served as assistant track coach for two years.  A native of Gainesville, he obtained his bachelor’s degree in education from Concordia University in Nebraska in 2004. He played football at Concordia and was a three-time letterwinner.

“I am looking forward to coaching at Emory University,” Ebert said. “Emory's administration and staff have shown a commitment to both academic and athletic excellence. The facilities at Emory are second to none and the opportunity to play the best competition in the country from the UAA is very exciting."

The Emory women’s basketball team finished the 2007-08 season with an overall record of 14-11 including a 7-7 mark in University Athletic Association contests, the most victories by the Eagles in conference play since 1999-2000.

Ebert replaces former assistant Tony Ciccone who recently assumed the head coaching duties at Agnes Scott College.

EMORY WOMEN’S ASSISTANT BASKETBALL COACH TONY  CICCONE RESIGNS TO TAKE HEAD COACHING POSITION AT AGNES SCOTT COLLEGE

(May 28) – Tony Ciccone, an assistant coach with the Emory women’s basketball program the past four years, has resigned his position to assume the head coaching duties at Agnes Scott College in Decatur, Ga.  

During his tenure with the Eagles, Ciccone helped guide Emory to winning campaigns on two occasions.  In 2007-08, Emory concluded the year with an overall slate of 14-11 which included a 7-7 mark in University Athletic Association contests, the most wins by the Eagles in league action since 1999-2000.  In addition, Ciccone helped Emory to victories over a total of eight top 25-ranked programs including three during 2007-08.

“My four years at Emory have been among the most enjoyable of my professional life,” Ciccone said.  “The student-athletes with whom I have worked and had the privilege to be around have been extremely hard working.  Their talent and will to succeed has continuously placed Emory athletics among the best in the nation.

“I am so grateful for the opportunity that Coach Christy Thomaskutty has provided me over these four years.  I had no idea when I joined her how much I would learn about coaching the game, or how much my passion for coaching would grow.  Christy and the players we worked with inspired me, and for that I am so thankful.”

Ciccone, a native of Miami Beach, Fla., coached a total of five players to All-University Athletic Association first- or second-team berths.

“We’re sad to see Tony leave but at the same time excited for this chapter of his life to develop,” Thomaskutty said.  “I know that he is going to be a great head coach and I’m thrilled for both he and Agnes Scott.  He has evolved in all aspects of coaching and has been a loyal and trusted colleague.  And while he has made great contributions to the basketball program here, he has been a valuable member of the athletic department as well.”

Agnes Scott, a member of the Great South Athletic Conference, compiled an overall record of 17-9 including a conference mark of 9-3 in 2007-08.

“I am looking forward to the new challenges that await me at Agnes Scott College,” Ciccone said.  “It is a school that prides itself on excellence both in the classroom and on the fields of play and I am excited to be a part of that ongoing success.”

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PUTS THREE ON ALL-UAA HONORS LIST

(Mar. 6) - Three members of the 2007-08 Emory University women’s basketball squad have been selected to the All-University Athletic Association Team.  The all-league honorees were chosen by the conference coaches.

Leading the way for Emory was junior Lora Turner (Florence, AL) who landed a spot on the first team. The 5-foot-11 Turner led Emory in scoring with a 14.1 points per game average, good for the No. 4 position among UAA performers.  In addition, she grabbed a team-high 6.5 rebounds per outing (6th in the UAA) and she paced the squad and the UAA with a 52.5 percent mark from the floor (138-of-263).  Turner, the only Emory player to have started all 25 games,  scored in double figures in 21 games and registered five efforts of 20 or more points.  She either led or shared for the team’s scoring lead in 14 contests, including five of the last seven games of the year, and finished as the club’s leading rebounder in 14 games as well.  In league affairs, Turner, a second-team pick last year, tossed in a team-best 12.4 points, good for the No. 8 slot among UAA players, and hauled down 5.4 boards per contest, tops on the team.  She also finished as the conference leader in field goal percentage (.519).   Turner becomes Emory’s first player to earn UAA first-team honors since the 2001-02 campaign when Stephanie Seibert was chosen.

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM WINDS UP REGULAR SEASON AT
CASE WESTERN
           
(Feb. 28) - GAME FACTS – The Emory University women’s basketball team concludes the 2007-08 regular season on Saturday (Mar. 1) when it plays at Case Western Reserve University.   The Veale Convocation Center on the CWRU campus will be the site of the 29th meeting between the Eagles and Spartans and tip is slated for 2:00 p.m.

THE COACHES – Emory Head Coach Christy Thomaskutty (Tulane, ’96) is in her fifth season at the helm of the program.  She assumed her current duties prior to the start of the 2003-04 season. 

Jennifer Reimer (Lycoming College) is in her first year as the head coach at Case and was appointed to her position in September of 2007.  Prior to her arrival, she served as head coach at Allegheny College for seven seasons where she posted a record of 120-68.  She also enjoyed a successful two-year stint as head coach at Mount Union, compiling a 32-18 mark.

2007-08 RECORDS – Emory has won seven of its last nine games and heads to Cleveland with an overall mark of 14-10, 7-6 in UAA action.  Last weekend, the Eagles chalked up a pair of road victories, 69-46 against Carnegie Mellon and 59-56 over No. 17-ranked Rochester.  Emory’s seven wins in the conference represent the highest total since 1999-2000 when that club fashioned a 7-8 mark.

Case Western entertains Emory with an overall slate of 12-12, 5-8 in UAA affairs.   The Spartans are coming off a split of games last weekend, dropping a 92-71 decision to Rochester before bouncing back for a 63-49 triumph vs. Carnegie Mellon.

Emory's Top Defensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty

SERIES RECORDS –  Case Western holds an all-time record of 16-12 against Emory in a series that started in 1988.  The Spartans won the first meeting this year, 76-72, in Atlanta.  Leading the Emory effort in that game was junior Erica Kaplan with 15 points while classmate Lora Turner grabbed eight rebounds.

EMORY EXPERIENCES REVERSAL OF FORTUNE -- At one point during the UAA season, Emory had lost four straight games that were decided by five or fewer points.  However, the Eagles have won their last three encounters in such contests – 64-61 vs. NYU; 68-66 vs. Washington University and 59-56 vs. Rochester.  So far this year, Emory posts a 5-5 record in contests decided by five or fewer points.

EMORY SCHEDULE RANKS AMONG THE TOUGHEST – In this week’s D3hoops.com strength of schedule rankings, Emory has played the nation’s second-most difficult schedule.  The formula is based on both opponent’s winning percentage and the opponent’s opponents winning percentage.

EMORY AMONG LEADERS IN UAA CATEGORIES – Through games played Feb. 24, Emory ranks among the top two teams in four offensive categories.  The Eagles hold down the No. 1 spot in scoring offense (68.0 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage (.383 – 8th nationally), while ranking second in both free throw percentage (.716) and field goal percentage (.409).

KAPLAN CRACKS CENTURY MARK IN THREE POINTERS  – In last Friday’s game against Carnegie Mellon, junior Erica Kaplan (Commack, NY) joined a select club when she became just the fourth player in school history to reach the century mark in career three-point field goals.  She finished the weekend by knocking down two more from beyond the arc in the Rochester game, boosting her career total to 102, good for the No. 4 position on Emory’s career ladder.

In addition to her trey total, Kaplan stands third on the school’s career ladder in free throw percentage (.780, 156-of-200).

Through games played Feb. 24, Erica is 12th among UAA players in scoring average (10.8 ppg) and first in free throw percentage (.871, 54-of-62).  In her last six outings, Kaplan has knocked down 25-of-26 free throws (.961).   

TURNER TALES – Junior Lora Turner (Florence, AL) heads into the final weekend of action with 20 double-figure scoring performances this season and holds down the No. 1 spot on the team and No. 4 slot on the UAA chart with a 14.1 points per-game average. The 5-foot-11 Turner totaled 13 points against Carnegie Mellon and 12 points against Rochester,   connecting on 12-of-19 (.631) from the floor.  In her last four games, Turner is averaging 15.3 points and shooting 59.5 percent (25-of-42) from the field.

Lora ranks prominently among UAA cagers in a number of categories including first in field goal percentage (.522), sixth in rebounding (6.6 rpg), and fourth in free throw percentage (.731).

The 5-foot-11 Turner has either led or shared for team scoring honors in 13 games and in rebounding on 14 occasions.

Career-wise, Turner has 875 points and is tied for 9th place on the school’s all-time scoring list (14 points from 8th).  In addition, she ranks third on Emory’s career list in field goal shooting ( (50.4%, 335-of-664), 11th in rebounding (450) and fifth in free throws (204).

EMORY NOTES – Junior Jenny Kraus (Ann Arbor, MI) came off the bench in the Carnegie Mellon game and went four-of-four from the floor, including two-of-two from three-point range en route to a season-high 10 points … Sophomore Mary Smith (Houston, TX) also totaled 10 points as a reserve in the CMU contest, her second double-digit effort of the campaign … After shooting a school-record tying 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from three-point range against Carnegie Mellon, Emory turned in another keen shooting effort from beyond the arc, knocking down 53.8 percent (7-of-13) from distance vs. Rochester … Emory’s 144 three-pointers this season represents a school record … The Eagles registered 11 and 12 steals vs. Carnegie and Rochester, respectively, and have 14 contests of double-digit thefts this year … Emory has 247 steals, fifth on the school’s seasonal list and just two from moving into fourth position … Through games played Feb. 24, Emory is No. 2 among UAA teams in steals (10.29 spg) … Erica Kaplan’s 25 points in the Rochester contest tied her with Lora Turner for the high-water mark by an Emory player this season … Junior Lauren Bugg (Pembroke, FL) doled out five assists and came up with two steals in 17 minutes of action vs. Carnegie Mellon … Sophomore LeShonda Lillard’s 10 points against Rochester marked her 14th outing of double-figure scoring this season … Heading into the final game of the year, Lillard is 15th among UAA players in scoring (9.9 ppg) … In the last five games, the Eagles are averaging 62.4 points and shooting 38.7 percent from the floor, including 44.7 percent from three-point range, vs. 59.4 points and 41.1 percent from the floor for the opposition … Emory has outshot 13 foes from the field and shows a 9-4 record in those affairs … During Thomaskutty’s tenure at Emory, the Eagles show a  34-12 record when holding a foe to 60 or fewer points … Emory has outrebounded 13 of 24 opponents this year and posts an 9-4 mark in those games … In its 14 wins, Emory is averaging 72.5 points per game (58.3 for the opposition) and shooting 43.4 percent from the floor (37.5 percent for opponents) … In their 10 setbacks, the Eagles have connected on 37.4 percent from the floor vs. 42.6 percent for the opposition and have been outscored by a 69.6-61.8 in those affairs.

Emory's Career Rebounding Leaders

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL TOPS No. 17 ROCHESTER IN NAILBITER

(Feb. 24) – Emory University junior Erica Kaplan scored 12 of her game-high 16 points in the second half to lead three double-figure scorers in an exciting 59-56 win over No. 17 Rochester Sunday afternoon. The win was Emory’s third straight and seventh in the last nine games and boosted its record to 14-10 overall, 7-6 in University Athletic Association play.  The Yellowjackets dropped to 19-5 in overall action, 9-4 in the conference.

Emory shot 38 percent from the floor (21-of-56) compared to Rochester’s 35 percent mark (21-of-60).  The Eagles were solid from three-point range, converting 53.8 percent (seven-of-13) of their attempts while the Yellowjackets hit on just four-of-15 (26.7%) from beyond the arc.  Junior Lora Turner and sophomore LeShonda Lillard rounded out Emory’s double-figure scorers with 12 and 10 points, respectively.

Emory trailed by a 29-22 margin at halftime but scored the first seven points of the second half to tie the game.  The Yellowjackets used a 6-2 run to go up by four points but Empory tied the game once again at 35-35 following a pair of free throws by junior Kate Corkle with 10:46 remaining.  A three-pointer by Kaplan with 6:18 left tied the game at 45-45, but Rochester would regain the lead and enjoy a slim 51-47 advantage with 3:58 remaining following a basket by Alex Porter.

Kaplan scored the Eagles’ next five points on a pair of charity tosses and a three-pointer that pushed Emory into a 52-51 lead with 3:12 on the clock.  After a pair of free throws by Julie Marriott put the home squad up by one point, sophomore LeShonda Lillard hit a dramatic three-pointer with 2:29 remaining that would prove to give the Eagles the lead for good at 55-53.  On its ensuing possession, junior Kendall Boyd was in the right place at the right time as she grabbed a blocked shot and laid it in just beating the shot clock and giving Emory a 57-53 edge with 1:35 left.  Melissa Alwardt’s basket and a make from the charity stripe by Mariott cut Emory’s lead to one.  The Yellowjackets had a chance to take the lead after they grabbed a rebound off Marriott’s second foul shot attempt.  However, after a timeout, Rochester was called on an inbounds violation and then had to foul Kaplan who calmly sank a pair of free throws with seven ticks on the clock.  Rochester’s three-point attempt in the waning moments missed the mark and the Eagles picked up their eighth road win in 11 tries this year.

Emory closes out the season next Saturday (Mar. 1) at Case Western Reserve.

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL RACES BY CARNEGIE MELLON

(Feb. 22) – Emory junior Lora Turner scored a team-high 13 points to lead three double-figure scorers, and the Eagles tied a school record for three-point shooting Friday night in a decisive 69-46 win at Carnegie Mellon.  The victory was the Eagles’ sixth in the last eight contests and raised their overall record to 13-10, 6-6 in the University Athletic Association.  With the loss, CMU slipped to 7-16 overall, 0-12 in conference affairs.

Emory connected on 17 of its first 26 field goal attempts, including nine-of-11 from three-point range, en route to a 46-23 lead at halftime. Juniors Kate Corkle and Lora Turner each posted nine points in the first half to pace the Eagles’ offensive attack.

After a field goal by Carnegie Mellon 26 seconds into the game provided the hosts its only lead of the game at 3-2, Emory went on 12-0 run to go up by a 14-3 margin with 14:43 left in the opening stanza. After a three-point field goal by the Tartans Leah Feola drew the Tartans to within 19-12 with 13:10 left, the Eagles went on an 11-0 sprint over the next three minutes and six seconds to assume a 30-12 edge.  A three-point field goal by sophomore Mary Smith gave Emory a 20-point cushion, 40-20, with 5:28 remaining while a three-pointer by junior Erica Kaplan with 4:18 eventually closed out the scoring for the period for both clubs. 

Four points apiece by LeShonda Lillard and Turner enabled Emory to score the opening eight points of the second that propelled the Eagles to a 31-point cushion, 54-23, with 15:35 left in the contest. From that point, the closest CMU would get would be 21 points. Jenny Kraus totaled a season-high 10 points in the triumph for while Smith tied her season best with the same total.

For the game, Emory shot 47.3 percent (26-of-55) from the floor including a school-record tying 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from three-point range. The previous time the Eagles shot that well from beyond the arc came against Carnegie Mellon on Jan. 28, 2005. CMU shot 32.6 percent (15-of-46) from the field and was successful on just four-of-16 from distance.  Emory held a slim 33-32 margin in rebounding and was led in that category by Turner and senior Kristen Brown with five boards apiece.

Emory’s six wins in conference play represents the best showing for the program since the 1990-2000 campaign when the Eagles finished with a 7-8 mark.

The Eagles return to action on Sunday (Feb. 24) when they play at No. 17-ranked Rochester.

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FACE ROAD TESTS AT CARNEGIE
MELLON AND ROCHESTER
           
GAME FACTS – The Emory University women’s basketball team takes to the road this weekend for a pair of University Athletic Association contests.  On Friday (Feb. 22), the Eagles battle the Tartans of Carnegie Mellon in a 6:00 p.m. tip before tangling with the University of Rochester on Sunday (Feb. 24) starting at 2:00 p.m.

THE COACHES – Emory Head Coach Christy Thomaskutty (Tulane, ’96) is in her fifth season at the helm of the program.  She assumed her current duties prior to the start of the 2003-04 season. 

Now in her 24th season as head coach at Carnegie Mellon University,  Gerri Seidl (Pittsburgh, ‘78) has posted a school and career record of 259-328. 

Jim Scheible (Clarkson, ‘88) is in his ninth year as the head coach at the University of Rochester.  During his tenure with the Yellowjackets, he has guided the program to Final Four berths in 2003 and 2004. Prior to his current position, he served as head coach at Elmira College.

Emory's Top Defensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty

2007-08 RECORDS – Emory has won five of its last seven games and heads into the weekend with an overall mark of 12-10, 5-6 in UAA action.  Last weekend, the Eagles played their final two home games of the year, dropping a 68-52 decision to the University of Chicago before bouncing back to post an exciting 68-66 triumph over No. 23-ranked Washington University. 

Carnegie Mellon heads into its game against Emory with a won-lost showing of 7-15, 0-11.  Last weekend, CMU lost road contests at NYU, 59-49, and Brandeis, 69-60.  

Rochester, ranked No. 19 in the nation by D3hoops.com,  and No. 17 in the USA Today ESPN Top 25 Coaches’ Poll, starts the weekend with an overall record of 18-4, including an 8-3 effort in UAA contests, good for a four-way tie for first place. The Yellowjackets split road games last weekend, losing at Brandeis by a 71-64 margin before topping NYU, 73-65.

SERIES RECORDS –  Emory holds an all-time record of 23-15 against Carnegie Mellon in a series that started in 1988.  The Eagles have won eight of the last nine meetings between the schools including a 75-54 decision earlier this year. CMU has captured 10 of 19 games in the series in games played on its home floor.  

Rochester posts a 21-17 all-time mark against Emory.  UR captured the initial meeting of this year, 57-54, at the Woodruff PE Center. Leading the Eagles’ effort in that game was junior Lora Turner with 15 points and 11 rebounds.

Emory's Top Offensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty 

EMORY RESERVES RISE TO THE OCCASION vs. WASH U. – With starting guard LeShonda Lillard sidelined with an injury, Emory received key contributions from a number of players in the 68-66 win over the No. 23-ranked Bears.  Junior Lauren Bugg (Pembroke, FL) played a season-long 25 minutes and dished out a season-high tying six assists; junior Kendall Boyd (Eden Prairie, MN) picked up seven points; and sophomore Mary Smith (Houston, TX) came up with four points and three steals. All totaled, Emory reserves registered 26 points, four rebounds and seven assists and six steals.

EMORY AMONG LEADERS IN UAA CATEGORIES – Through games played Feb. 17, Emory ranks among the top two teams in four offensive categories.  The Eagles hold down the No. 1 spot in scoring offense (68.4 ppg) and three-point field goal percentage (.364 – 18th nationally), while ranking second in both free throw percentage (.714) and field goal percentage (.407).

KAPLAN ONE TREY FROM CENTURY MARK  – Heading into the weekend, junior Erica Kaplan (Commack, NY) is one three-point field goal shy of reaching the century mark in career treys.  Kaplan is fourth on Emory’s all-time list with 99 three-pointers.

In addition to her trey total, Kaplan stands third on the school’s career ladder in free throw percentage (.773, 150-of-194).

Through games played Feb. 17, Erica is 11th among UAA players in scoring average (10.8 ppg) and first in free throw percentage (.857, 48-of-56).  In her last four outings, Kaplan has knocked down 19-of-20 free throws (.950).   

TURNER TALES – Junior Lora Turner (Florence, AL), named UAA Player of the Week for her efforts last weekend against Chicago and Washington University, heads into the weekend with 18 double-figure scoring performances and holds down the No. 1 spot on the team and No. 4 slot on the UAA chart with a 14.3 points per-game average. Turner’s 23 point-afternoon against the Bears of Wash U., was her fifth effort of 20 or more points this year and eighth of her career.

In addition, she figures prominently among UAA cagers in a number of categories including first in field goal percentage (.513), fifth in rebounding (6.7 rpg), and fourth in free throw percentage (.735).

The 5-foot-11 Turner has either led or shared for team scoring and rebounding honors on 12 occasions this season.

Career-wise, Turner has 850 points and holds down the No. 11 position on the school’s all-time list (7 points from moving into 10th,   26 points from 9th ).  In addition, she ranks third on Emory’s career list in field goal shooting (50.0%, 323-of-645), 11th in rebounding (440), and fifth in free throws (203).  

EMORY NOTES – Junior Jenny Kraus (Ann Arbor, MI) came off the bench and totaled a season-high tying seven points in the Washington University game … The Eagles converted 22 charity tosses in the Washington University game, high for a conference contest this season … The Eagles registered a season-high tying 18 steals against Chicago and followed that with 11 thefts against Wash U., and now have 12 contests of double-digit steals … Through games played Feb. 17, Emory is tied with Rochester for the No. 1 spot in the UAA in steals (10.18 spg) … Sophomore guard LeShonda Lillard (Bloomington, IL) ranks 14th among UAA performers in overall scoring (10.0 ppg) and is sixth in assists (3.00 apg) … Lillard has scored in double figures in 13 contests this season … In the last five games, the Eagles are averaging 65.0 points and shooting 40.1 percent from the floor, including 40.5 percent from three-point range, vs. 65.6 points and 43.0 percent from the floor … In her last four games, Lora Turner is shooting 51.4 percent from the floor (18-of-35) … Emory has recorded 224 steals this year, tying it for seventh place on the school’s all-time seasonal list … Emory has outshot 11 foes from the field and shows a 7-4 record in those affairs … Four of Emory’s six losses in conference play have been by four or fewer points …During Thomaskutty’s tenure at Emory, the Eagles show a  32-12 record when holding a foe to 60 or fewer points … Emory has outrebounded 12 of 22 opponents this year and posts an 8-4 mark in those games … In its 12 wins, Emory is averaging 73.9 points per game (59.5 for the opposition) and shooting 43.5 percent from the floor (38.1 percent for opponents) … In their 10 setbacks, the Eagles have connected on 37.4 percent from the floor vs. 42.6 percent for the opposition and have been outscored by a 69.6-61.8 in those affairs.

Emory's Career Rebounding Leaders

EMORY’S LORA TURNER NAMED UAA BASKETBALL PLAYER OF THE WEEK

Emory University junior Lora Turner (Florence, AL) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Women’s Basketball Player of the Week following her performances in the Eagles’ final two home games of the campaign.  Turner shares the award with Jaime Capra of Brandeis University.

The 5-foot-11 Turner led Emory in scoring in each contest in helping the squad to a 1-1 record.  She recorded 13 points and contributed two blocked shots in Friday’s game vs. Chicago before totaling a game-high 23 points, along with a team-high tying seven rebounds, in a 68-66 triumph over No. 23-ranked Washington University.  Turner hit eight-of-14 from the floor and six-of-10 from the foul line en route to her 18th double-figure scoring effort of the year and fifth of 20 or more points.  In the two games, Turner shot 56.5 percent (13-of-23) from the floor while averaging 18.0 points and 4.5 rebounds. She has either led or shared for team scoring and rebounding honors in 12 games this year.  In addition, Turner’s 23 points against Washington Univ., enabled to move into 11th place on the school’s all-time scoring list with 850 points.

Through games played Feb. 17, Turner ranks first on the club and No. 4 among UAA players in scoring (14.3 ppg) in overall play.  She is pulling down 6.7 rebounds per outing, tied for fifth in the league, and she stands as the UAA leader with a 51.3 percent mark (119-of-232) from the field.

It represents the first time that she has been tabbed by the UAA for the honor.

Emory, 12-10 overall and 5-6 in UAA games, plays at Carnegie Mellon on Friday (Feb. 22) and at Rochester on Sunday (Feb. 24).

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL FALLS TO CHICAGO

(Feb. 15) – The Emory University women’s basketball team saw a two-game win streak come to an Friday evening as the University of Chicago posted a 68-52 victory over the Eagles. The win raised Chicago’s overall record to 16-5 in overall play, 7-3 in the University Athletic Association, while Emory dropped to 11-10 in overall action, 4-6 in conference outings.

The Maroons never trailed in the game and finished with a keen 52.7 percent mark from the floor, converting 29-of-55 attempts.  Emory struggled from the field, hitting just 31.7 percent (19-of-60).  Chicago also enjoyed a hefty 45-23 edge in rebounding.

Leading the Emory effort was junior Lora Turner with 13 points, her 17th double-figure scoring performance of the campaign, while classmate Erica Kaplan rounded out the team’s double-figure scorers with 12 points.  Junior Kerry Madison chipped in six points and finished with a team-high seven rebounds, the second time this year she paced the club in that category. 

Chicago sophomore Molly Hackney notched a game-high 18 points, hitting nine-of-13 from the floor, while pulling down nine boards.  Senior guard Nofi Mojidi chipped in 15 points.

Hackney scored 14 first-half points as the Maroons took a 37-24 lead at halftime.  Emory cut the deficit to 10 points with 14:42 remaining in the game after Kaplan sank a pair of foul shots, but Chicago responded with a 10-2 spurt, with Mojidi registering seven points in that stretch, to take a commanding 51-33 advantage with 12:03 left on the clock.

Emory returns to action on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 17) when it hosts Washington University in a 2:00 p.m. start.

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL PLAYS FINAL HOME GAMES OF THE
SEASON
           
GAME FACTS – The Emory University women’s basketball team makes its final home appearances of the season this weekend when it tangles with a pair of UAA opponents.  On Friday (Feb. 15), the Eagles take on the University of Chicago in a 6:00 p.m. tip before entertaining Washington University on Sunday (Feb. 17) in a 2:00 p.m. start. 

Friday evening will be Senior Night with the Eagles recognizing Kristen Brown (River Vale, NJ) in a pre-game ceremony.

THE COACHES – Emory Head Coach Christy Thomaskutty (Tulane, ’96) is in her fifth season at the helm of the program.  She assumed her current duties prior to the start of the 2003-04 season. 

Now in his fourth season as head coach at the University of Chicago, Aaron  Roussell (Iowa, ‘01) has posted a school and career record of 66-29.  Last season, he directed the Maroons to an 18-7 won-lost mark.

Nancy Fahey (Wisconsin, ‘81) is in her 22nd year as the head coach at Washington University and takes a school and career slate of 512-90 into a Friday night game vs. Case Western Reserve.  During her tenure with the Bears, she has captured four national championships and owns 18 campaigns of 20 or more victories.

Emory's Top Defensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty

2007-08 RECORDS – Emory was won four of its last five games and heads into its final home weekend with an overall mark of 11-9, 4-5 in UAA action.  Last weekend, the Eagles recorded a 75-63 come-from-behind victory at Brandeis before taking home an exciting 64-61 triumph over New York University.

Chicago heads into its encounter against Emory with a won-lost showing of 15-5, 6-3 in the UAA.  Last weekend, the Maroons came away with a pair of home wins, 56-46 against the University of Rochester and 67-38 over Carnegie Mellon.  

Washington University, ranked No. 23 in the nation by D3hoops.com,  starts the weekend with an overall record of 15-5, including a 7-2 effort in UAA contests, good for a first-place tie with Rochester. The Bears topped Carnegie Mellon, 64-37, and Rochester, 63-61 in overtime last weekend.

SERIES RECORDS –  Washington University holds an all-time record of 34-4 against Emory in a series that started in 1989.  The Bears have won the last 19 meetings between the schools including a 76-63 win in Saint Louis earlier this year.

Chicago posts a 23-15 all-time mark against Emory.  UC captured the initial meeting of this year, 54-52, in Chicago. Leading the Emory effort in that game was junior Erica Kaplan with 13 points and senior Kristen Brown with eight rebounds. Chicago stands 11-8 vs. the Eagles in games played on Emory’s home court.

KAPLAN HAS BREAKOUT GAME – MOVES UP SCHOOL LADDER IN CAREER CATEGORIES    – Erica Kaplan (Commack, NY) couldn’t have picked a better time to come through with her best scoring performance of the year when she blistered NYU for 25 points, tying the high-water mark by an Emory player in 2007-08.  Kaplan sank seven-of-13 from the floor, including three-of-four from beyond the arc, and eight-of-nine from the charity stripe en route to her second contest of 20 or more points this season.  Included in her outing against the Violets was a dramatic three-pointer with 53 seconds left that snapped a 57-57 deadlock and gave the Eagles the lead for good.

In the NYU game, Kaplan moved past Beth Byron into the No. 4 position on the school’s all-time three-point list and now has 99 treys to her credit. In addition to her trey total, Kaplan, stands third on the school’s all-time list in free throw percentage (.764, 143-of-187).

Through games played Feb. 10, Erica is 11th among UAA players in scoring average (10.8 ppg) and second in free throw percentage (.837, 41-of-49).  

Emory's Top Offensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty 

LILLARD AN OFFENSIVE AND DEFENSIVE FORCE  – Sophomore LeShonda Lillard (Bloomington, IN) totaled 13 and 16 points against Brandeis and NYU, respectively, over the weekend, her fourth and fifth consecutive and 13th double-digit performance of the campaign.  She was the team’s second-high scorer in each contest and she also finished the weekend with seven assists and seven steals.

In her last five outings, Lillard is averaging 14.2 points and shooting 53.1 percent from the floor (26-of-49).  Through games played Feb. 10, she is 13th among UAA players in scoring average (10.5 ppg), sixth in assists (3.10 apg) and fourth in steals (2.40 spg). Her 48 steals place her 11th on the school’s season chart.

TURNER TALES – Junior Lora Turner’s (Florence, AL) saw a five-game double-figure scoring streak come to an end when she was held to two points in the NYU game. Turner has registered 16 double-figure scoring performance this season and through games played Feb. 10 stands No. 1 on the team and No. 4 in the UAA with a 13.9 per-game scoring average. In addition, she figures prominently among UAA cagers in a number of categories including rebounding (5th, 7.0 rpg), second in field goal percentage (.507) and fourth in free throw percentage (.750).

The 5-foot-11 Turner tied Erica Kaplan for the team lead with six rebounds against NYU, the 11th time during the ’07-08 campaign that she either led or shared for team honors in that category.

Career-wise, Turner has 814 points and holds down the No. 14 position on the school’s all-time list (4 points from moving into 13th,   14 points from 12th ).  In addition, she ranks third on Emory’s career list in field goal shooting (49.8%, 310-of-622) and is 12th in rebounding with 431 boards (4 rebounds from 11th).  

EMORY NOTES – Emory rallied from a 20-point first-half deficit in the 75-63 win over Brandeis, outscoring the Judges by a 47-21 margin during the final 20 minutes of action … In addition, the Eagles connected on a season-high 55.6 percent (10-of-18) from three-point range, the best mark by an Emory team since Jan. 15, 2006, when it chalked up a 58.3 percent figure (7-of-12) against the University of Chicago …  Junior Kate Corkle (River Forest, IL) tied her career high with 13 points against Brandeis before totaling 12 points against NYU, her third double-figure scoring performance of the campaign … In her last four outings, Corkle is averaging 11.5 points and shooting 53.1 percent from the floor (17-of-32) … In the last five games, the Eagles are averaging 72.0 points and shooting 44.3 percent from the floor vs. 61.6 points and 39.6 percent showing for the opposition … Emory dished out a season-high 23 assists in the Brandeis game, tying the 10th highest single-game total in school history …  Kristen Brown is No. 2 on the club and 17th among UAA players in rebounding (5.3 rpg) … Emory has outshot 11 foes from the field and shows a 7-4 record in those affairs … Four of Emory’s five losses in conference play have been by four or fewer points …Through games played Feb. 10, Emory is No. 1 among UAA teams in overall action in scoring (69.2 ppg), tied for No. 1 in field goal percentage (.412), No. 1 in three-point shooting (.366) and No. 2 in free throw percentage (.714) … During Thomaskutty’s tenure at Emory, the Eagles show a  32-12 record when holding a foe to 60 or fewer points … Emory has recorded double digits in steals in 10 games and is third  among UAA clubs in that category (9.75 spg) … Emory has outrebounded 12 of 20 opponents this year and posts an 8-4 mark in those games … In its 11 wins, Emory is averaging 74.5 points per game (58.9 for the opposition) and shooting 43.8 percent from the floor (37.8 percent for opponents) … In their nine setbacks, the Eagles have connected on 38.1 percent from the floor vs. 41.5 percent for the opposition and have been outscored by a 69.8-62.9 in those affairs … Emory has outscored its foes in the first half in 12 contests and averages 33.6 first-half points vs. the opposition’s 30.1.

Emory's Career Rebounding Leaders

EMORY’S LORA TURNER NAMED ACADEMIC ALL-DISTRICT  

(Feb. 8) - Emory University junior Lora Turner (Florence, AL), a three-year starter on the Eagles’ basketball squad, has been named to the ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District Women’s Basketball Team.  Turner was a third-team pick for District 3 in the College Division.  The College Division consists of colleges and universities from NCAA Divisions II, and III and the NAIA.

The honor is awarded annually to student athletes who have excelled both academically and athletically.  To be eligible, a nominee must have reached sophomore academic and athletic standing at his/her current institution, carry a cumulative grade-point average of 3.2 or higher (on a 4.0 scale) and be a starter or key reserve.

The 5-foot-11 Turner majors in Neuroscience and Behavioral Biology and posts a 3.56 grade-point average.  A starter in all 18 Emory games, Turner tops the team and ranks No. 3 among University Athletic Association players in scoring with a 14.6 points per-game average.  A double-figure scorer on 15 occasions, she has turned in four contests of 20 or more points and led or shared for team scoring honors on nine occasions.  Through games played Feb. 3, she is shooting a conference-leading 51.3 percent from the floor and also ranks among the UAA leaders in rebounding (5th, 7.2 rpg) and free throw percentage (4th, 73.2%).

Career-wise, Turner ranks 14th on the school’s all-time scoring list with 798 points and is 12th in rebounding with 421 boards.

Voting for the Academic All-District team is conducted by the College Sports Information Directors of America.  District 3 is composed of NCAA institutions in the states of Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia.  

EMORY WOMEN’S BASKETBALL EYES ROAD TRIP TO BRANDEIS & NYU
           
(Feb. 6) - GAME FACTS – The Emory University women’s basketball team begins the second half of University Athletic Association play this weekend with a pair of tough road contests.  On Friday (Feb. 8), the Eagles tangle with the Judges from Brandeis University in a 6:00 p.m. start before taking on the Violets of New York on Sunday (Feb. 10) in a 2:00 p.m. tip.

The Emory-Brandeis game can be heard via the internet at http://www.wbrs.org while the Emory vs. NYU game can be heard at www.wnyu.org

THE COACHES – Emory Head Coach Christy Thomaskutty (Tulane, ’96) is in her fifth season at the helm of the program.  She assumed her current duties prior to the start of the 2003-04 season. 

Now in her 21st season as head coach of the Brandeis University program, Carol Simon (Colby College, ‘85) was won 296 games.  Last season, she posted a 20-6 won-lost mark and directed the Judges to an appearance in the NCAA Tournament.

Janice Quinn (NYU, ‘85) is in her 21st year as the head coach at New York University. During her tenure with the Violets, she has manufactured a school and career record of 452-121 that includes a national championship in 1997.  Last year, she directed the team to an overall record of 27-4 along with a Final Four berth.

Emory's Top Defensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty

2007-08 RECORDS – Emory heads east with an overall effort of 9-9 (2-5 UAA) after splitting a pair of home contests last weekend. The Eagles notched an impressive 80-60 victory over then No. 21-ranked NYU on Friday before coming out on the short end of a 70-66 decision to Brandeis.

Brandeis entertains Emory with a won-lost showing of 14-4, 5-2 in the UAA.  Before slipping by Emory, the Judges posted a 67-65 overtime win at Case Western Reserve on Friday.  Brandeis has compiled a 7-2 record in home games this year.

NYU brings an overall record of 13-5, 2-5 in UAA contests, into a Friday home bout against Case Western.  Following its setback to Emory, the Violets played at Case Western and lost by a 70-58 margin.  NYU has captured nine of 11 games played on its home court this season.

SERIES RECORDS –  Brandeis’ win on Sunday evened the all-time series with Emory at 19 wins apiece.  The Judges have won 10 of 18 meetings against Emory in games played on their home floor and have won the last five encounters between the schools at Auerbach Arena.

NYU holds an all-time record of 30-8 against Emory in a series that started in 1989.  The Violets have claimed 16 of 18 meetings between the two schools in games played on their home floor.

Emory's Top Offensive Scoring Efforts Under Thomaskutty 

CORKLE COMES TO THE FOREFRONT  – Junior Kate Corkle (River Forest, IL) turned in a pair of solid outings over the weekend, averaging 10.5 points, 5.0 rebounds and 1.5 assists.

In the 80-60 triumph over No. 21 NYU, the 5-foot-6 Corkle totaled eight points, three rebounds and one steal.  She followed that performance with career highs in both points (13) and rebounds (7) in a 70-66 setback to Brandeis University. Against the Judges, she converted four-of-nine from the floor, including two-of-three from three-point range.  Over the weekend, she knocked down seven-of-16 from the floor (.438), including three-of-six from three-point range, and four-of-five from the line.

Kate has made all of her starts this year over the past 10 games and she is averaging 16.2 minutes, 3.7 points and 2.4 rebounds per contest.

LILLARD STRONG AT BOTH ENDS OF THE FLOOR  – Sophomore LeShonda Lillard (Bloomington, IN) totaled 13 and 11 points against NYU and Brandeis, respectively, over the weekend her third straight and 11th double-figure scoring performance of the season.  In her last three outings, Lillard is averaging 14.0 points and shooting 53.8 percent from the floor (14-of-26).  She doled out a game-high six assists against NYU and holds down the No. 6 spot on the UAA chart in that category with a 3.06 per-game average.  She has either led or shared for team honors in assists on 12 occasions. She also registered steals in each game, running her consecutive game streak to nine, and she stands No. 1 on the squad and No. 4 among UAA players in thefts with a 2.28 per-game average.  Her 41 total steals ties her for 19th place on the school’s seasonal ladder.

TURNER TALES – Junior Lora Turner’s (Florence, AL) 12-point afternoon against Brandeis represented her fourth straight and 15th double-figure scoring performance of the campaign.  In the NYU game, she grabbed a team-high eight rebounds, the 10th time during the ’07-08 campaign that she either led or shared for team honors in that category.

Through games played Feb. 3, Turner is tossing in a team-best 14.6 points per game, good for the No. 3 position among UAA players in overall play. The 5-foot-11 frontliner also figures prominently in other UAA overall categories including the No. 1 spot in field goal shooting (.519), the No. 5 position in rebounding (7.2 rpg) while standing No. 4 in free throw shooting (.732).

Career-wise, Turner has 798 points and holds down the No. 14 position on the school’s all-time list (20 points from moving into 13th).  In addition, she ranks third on Emory’s career list in field goal shooting (50.0%, 305-of-610) and is 12th in rebounding with 421 boards.  

EMORY NOTES – Emory tied a school single-game record in the NYU contest when it knocked down 12 three-point field goals … The previous time the Eagles recorded a dozen treys came against Brandeis on Feb. 4, 1996 … Sophomore Whitney Martin (Barrington, IL) tied her career high with 14 points while snatching a season-high seven rebounds against Brandeis …