CHICAGO -- The 17th-ranked University of Chicago women's basketball team used a dominant third quarter to pull away from Emory in a tight top-25 matchup on Sunday afternoon.  In an all-out defensive battle, the Maroons found their offensive stride in the second half to capture their third ranked win of the season.

After a low-scoring opening half that featured three ties and five lead changes, the Maroons broke the game open with a 20-point third quarter, turning a one-point halftime lead into a double-digit cushion that they would not let up.

Emory struck first, building an early 9-2 lead, and they would grow their lead to 14-7 with 3:25 remaining in the opening period. However, the UChicago defense would come alive from that point on, holding the Eagles scoreless over the next eight minutes and 49 seconds. The Maroons would ride an 8-0 run to their first lead of the game at 15-14 following a jumper by Kate Gross. Chris Sanders would add a layup and a pair of free throws as the teams would enter the locker room level at 19.

Coming out of the half, the Maroons would go on an 11-3 run to build an eight-point lead. Annabelle Spotts scored inside to open the third, Caroline Workman answered Emory's go-ahead three with a layup, and Gross drilled a three-pointer from the wing to push the Maroons in front 26-22. Samuda got to work in the paint, scoring on consecutive possessions and converting on a three-point play to extend the margin to double figures. Spotts capped the offensive surge with a dagger three, and UChicago closed the quarter ahead by nine after outscoring Emory 20-11.

The Maroons continued to apply pressure in the fourth. Samuda capitalized on the boards, converting on multiple second-chance opportunities, as Gross connected on another three to give UChicago its biggest lead of the game at 12. Spotts added a free throw in the final minute to seal the top-25 victory for the Maroons.

Samuda dominated on both sides of the floor, leading all players with 14 points on 6-of-8 shooting while pulling down a game-high 17 rebounds. Spotts finished with 13 points, while Gross added 12 points, three blocks, and two assists.

With the win, the Maroons improve to 13-4 overall and 5-2 in UAA play. UChicago will return to action next week with a pair of road trips to Rochester and #18 Emory.