CHICAGO – The University of Chicago women's basketball team closed strong in the fourth quarter to clinch a Senior Day win 67-51 against visiting Emory University on Sunday.

The Maroons improved to 13-8 overall (6-5 in the University Athletic Association). The Eagles dropped to 13-7 on the season, including 7-4 in UAA games.

Prior to tipoff, UChicago honored its five-member senior class and their families on the Ratner Athletics Center hardwood. The Class of 2022 includes Alina Brennan, Alison Gill, Kati Heller, Elizabeth Shaw and Klaire Steffens. All five players were featured in the starting lineup at the game's onset.

The Maroons rode the good feelings of the pregame ceremony into a fast start. The home team shot 56 percent from the field and sank 3 of 4 from three-point range to take an eight-point lead after 10 minutes.

After an early tie at 7-7, Steffens and sophomore Ellie Gross combined to lead the Maroons on a 9-2 run. Heller swished a trey from the right wing and Steffens' layup made the score 21-13.

Emory answered back in the second quarter by putting up 21 points of its own, including four three-pointers. Claire Brock was a particular menace around the arc, going 4-for-4 for 11 points in the quarter. Brock launched a long-distance jumper that tied the score up at 32-32 with two minutes remaining in the half.

Steffens posted a layup and a three-pointer on consecutive possessions to give her team a 37-34 advantage at the break. The senior forward had 13 points at that juncture, followed by Gross with eight points.

Both sides struggled to convert offensively in the third quarter – they combined to shoot 29 percent from the field. The Eagles did move ahead briefly at 45-44. But the Maroons received a layup from junior Mallory Brodnik and two free throws by sophomore Sophia North to go back up 48-45.

With the game still hanging in the balance, UChicago took command of the fourth quarter and never let go. While the Maroons made half of its field goals and 9 of 10 at the free throw line, Emory slumped hard. The visitors made 2 of 14 from the field and were outrebounded 13-4.

UChicago closed the game on a 17-3 streak over the final seven-and-a-half minutes. Junior Grace Hynes was a catalyst on offense with eight points, and the Maroon defense tightened its vise to a suffocating degree. For the game, the Eagles only attempted two free throws and shot 10-for-30 inside the arc. Half of their baskets came on three-pointers.

Two days after putting up a career-high 35 points, Steffens added 21 more on Sunday. She also posted nine rebounds and three assists. Brodnik contributed 12 points and three steals. Hynes submitted a well-rounded line of 10 points, eight rebounds and five assists. Gross similarly finished with eight points, nine rebounds and five assists.

In the final box score, the Maroons made 45.1 percent of their field goals, 46.7 percent of their three-pointers (7-15) and 87.5 percent of their free throws (14-16). The Eagles shot 35.7 percent from the field, 38.5 percent from beyond the arc (10-26) and 50.0 percent from the charity stripe (1-2).

UChicago dominated the rebounding category 40-27 and possessed a 24-16 margin in points in the paint. Turnovers were even at 13-13.

NEXT GAME:

• Friday, Feb. 18 @ 7:30 PM (ET) – UChicago at Brandeis University