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 wins over Case Western and Carnegie Mellon. He shares the award with John DiBartolomeo  of the University of Rochester. It marks the second time this season and third in his career that he has been selected for the honor.

The 5-foot-9 Claunch turned in back-to-back doubles of points and assists against the Spartans and Tartans in helping the team raise its overall record to 13-3, 4-1 in the league play which is good for a first-place tie. Over the two games, he shot 56.5 percent (13-of-23) from the floor, including 55.6 percent (5-of-9) from three-point range, and averaged team highs in points (21.0 ppg), assists (10.5 apg), steals (3.5 spg) and minutes (35.5 mpg).

In the 97-73 decision over Case on Friday, Claunch totaled 17 points, second high on the club, and doled out 11 assists with no turnovers in 31 minutes of play.  His assists total tied the second-highest individual game mark in school history.  He closed out the weekend tossing in a team-high 25 points, tying his second-highest career total, in an 88-71 verdict over Carnegie Mellon, hitting eight of his 12 field goal attempts including two-of-three three pointers.  He dished out 10 assists and topped all players with four steals.

Through games played Jan. 23, Claunch ranks among the top 10 UAA performers in six statistical categories and is the leader in five of them. He is the conference pacesetter in assists (7.2 apg), free throw percentage (.887), steals (2.1 spg), assist/turnover ratio (2.6) and minutes (35.2 mpg.).

Emory returns to action on Friday (Jan. 28) when it plays at Brandeis.