Austin Claunch Named UAA Basketball Co-Player Of The Week

Emory University junior Austin Claunch (Cypress, TX) has been selected by the University Athletic Association as Basketball Co-Player of the Week after helping the Eagles to a pair of wins at the Emory Thanksgiving Tournament. He shares the award with Richie Polan of New York University. It marks the second time in his career that he has been selected for the honor.

The 5-foot-9 Claunch averaged 18.5 points, 9.5 assists and 2.5 steals per outing in victories over LaGrange College and Maryville.  In addition, he connected on 61.9 percent from the floor (13-of-21) and knocked down all 10 of his free throw opportunities as Emory raised its overall record to 5-0. 

In an 81-67 decision over LaGrange on Saturday (Nov. 27), Claunch totaled 12 points, hitting four-of-eight from the field and four-of-four from the charity stripe, while doling out seven assists in 31 minutes of action.  The following day in a 103-99 come-from-behind win against Maryville, he topped the club with 25 points, tying his second-highest career total, and established a school record with 12 assists while playing all 40 minutes.  He was successful on nine-of-13 field goal opportunities and was successful on all six of his free throw attempts against the Scots. 

So far this season, he has averaged 15.4 points and a team-best 7.6 assists per contest.

Emory looks to remain unbeaten when its hosts Methodist University on Saturday (Dec. 4) in a 4:00 p.m. tip.