ATLANTA, Ga. – The Case Western Reserve University men's basketball team had its four-game win streak snapped and suffered its first conference loss of the season in a 97-73 defeat at Emory University (GA) on Friday, January 21 at Woodruff P.E. Center.

The Spartans fall to 7-8 overall and 3-1 in the University Athletic Association. Emory improves to 12-3 and 3-1 UAA.

Sophomore forward Austin Fowler (Farmington Hills, MI/Brother Rice) led the Spartans with 15 points. Senior center Eric Duerr (Gibsonia, PA/Pine-Richland) totaled 10 points and six rebounds, while freshman point guard Mike Byrne (Newton, PA/Holy Ghost) chipped in with nine points, six rebounds and five assists.  

Emory had five players in double-figures, including Alex Greven with a game-high 18 points and Austin Claunch with 17.

Emory scored the game's opening basket, but the Spartans followed with a 16-5 run and led 16-7 when Byrne completed a three-point play at the 15:24 mark. Emory got to within two on a pair of occasions, the second coming at 11:37 when Jake Davis scored a three-point play of his own to make the score 24-22. Case re-built its advantage to nine with a 7-0 run ending in two Byrne free throws with 9:09 left in the half, but Emory rallied with a 15-4 run and led 37-35 when Corey Spraggins scored on a fastbreak at 5:25. The Eagles then closed the period on a 14-7 run to lead 51-42 at the break.

In the second half, the Spartans were never able to trim their deficit below nine, as Emory shot .538 (36-of-65) for the game and forced 21 Case turnovers.

The Spartans are back in action on Sunday, Jan. 23 at the University of Rochester (NY) at 12:00 p.m.