DEMOREST, Ga. -- Senior Gabi Whitmer came through with a career-high 27 points and No. 10 Emory rallied from a big second-half deficit in escaping with a victory at Piedmont on Tuesday afternoon. Emory tied the program's longest win streak and raised its overall record to 10-0 following a 73-70 decision against the Lions, who slipped to 6-3.
Whitmer, whose previous career high was seven points, set earlier this season at Berry, closed out the afternoon converting 7 of 12 from the floor and 13 of 15 from the free-throw line in registering the third-highest scoring performance by an Emory player this year. Whitmer's free-throw total tied her with Stephanie Seibert for the fourth-highest individual game effort in school history.
The Eagles ended the game shooting 34.8 percent from the floor (24 of 69), picking up the pace in that department during the second half, converting 46.7 percent (14 of 30) of their field goal tries. Piedmont finished off the day sinking 39.3 percent from the field (22 of 56), but slumped during the final 20 minutes of play, converting just 33.3 percent (9 of 27). Emory enjoyed a 49-37 edge in rebounding with Whitmer, freshman Shellie Kaniut and senior Hannah Lilly all grabbing seven boards.
Whitmer was one of four double-figure scorers for the Eagles with senior Savannah Morgan and Kaniut each adding 12 points. Rounding out the group was Castillo with 10 points.
The 10-0 start represents the first time in program history that an Emory squad has won its opening 10 contests and ties the program's longest win streak while establishing a record for the longest winning streak in a single season. The previous 10-game win streak started with the last game of the 1993-94 campaign and through the first nine games of the 1994-95 season.
No. 3 Washington (Mo.) 69, Millikin 53
DECATUR, Ill. -- Junior guard Maddy Scheppers made a career-high five 3-pointers on her way to scoring a career-best 23 points to lead No. 3 Washington (Mo.) to a 69-53 win at Millikin on Tuesday afternoon.
Washington shot 44.8 percent (26-58) from the field in the game, including a season-best eight 3-pointers. The Bears were also 9 of 12 from the free-throw line, including 7 of 8 in the first half. Millikin shot 40.8 percent (20-49) from the field, but was just 1 of 5 from beyond the arc. The Big Blue finished 12 of 15 at the free-throw line, including 9 of 10 in the second half. Washington finished with a 34-26 rebounding advantage.
Scheppers finished 9 of 16 from the field for her career- and game-high 23 points, and also equaled her career-high with four steals. Melissa Gilkey just missed a double-double with 13 points and nine rebounds, including four on the offensive glass, while Johanson also finished in double figures with 10 points and five rebounds. Senior forward Jordan Rettig chipped in with eight points and four rebounds, and sophomore guard Jordan Thompson tallied a game-high six assists.
Washington U. improved to 9-1 on the season.
