As University Athletic Association play winds down and the postseason nears, the Washington University men’s basketball team has extended its winning streak to four after edging out Emory University and Case Western Reserve University this weekend. The Bears topped Emory 78-71 in overtime on Sunday afternoon and came from behind to defeat Case 71-68 on Friday evening.

Junior Tyler Nading became only the 17th player in Wash. U. history to surpass the 1,000-point plateau after scoring 19 points in the victory at Emory. He hit a 15-foot jumper with under three minutes remaining in overtime to give the Bears a 68-65 advantage.

Sophomore Aaron Thompson knocked down a three-pointer on the Bears’ ensuing possession to seal the victory.

“It was a tough game all around,” said Nading. “But we never stopped believing and were able to separate ourselves in overtime.”

The game’s first half featured excessive runs. The Eagles scored the first four points of the game, but the Bears responded with a 14-2 spurt to take an eight-point edge. Senior Troy Ruths contributed two three-point plays during the run.

Emory roared back into the game with its own 18-4 stretch, retaking a five-point advantage with over eight minutes remaining in the half. However, the Bears closed the period with nine unanswered points to tie the game at 28-28 heading into the locker room.

The Bear’s defense stifled the Eagles early in the second half to jump ahead 40-33. However, in seesaw fashion, the Eagles took a 47-42 lead after two powerful dunks by Emory’s Julien Williams. Emory’s Spiros Ferderigos converted two free throws in response to a bucket by Ruths to send the game into an extra period.

Ruths finished the game with 24 points, nine rebounds and five blocks. Nading added eight rebounds and four steals, while Thompson and Smith contributed 14 and 13 points, respectively. The Bears held Ferderigos, the Eagles’ leading scorer, to 4-13 from the field. Ferderigos scored a school-record 45 points against the Bears two seasons ago.

“Cameron did a great job on [Ferderigos],” said Nading. “He really shut him down.”

Before its victory against Emory in Atlanta, Ga., the Red and Green squeaked out a 71-68 win against Case Western Reserve at Adelberdt Gymnasium in Cleveland, Ohio. The Bears trailed for the better part of the game but were able to jump ahead in the closing seconds.

Wash. U. trailed 68-65 with 1:14 remaining in the contest. Ruths converted two shots from the foul line to trim the Bears’ deficit to one and then stole the inbounds pass on the ensuing Spartans’ possession. Again, Ruths was fouled and nailed two shots from the charity stripe with 6.8 seconds to play to give the Bears, at 69-68, its first lead since the game’s opening minutes.

The Spartans’ Steve Young missed a runner with two seconds left. Thompson then knocked down two more free throws for the Bears to create a three-point cushion, and Young missed a last-second shot from behind the arc to give Wash. U. the victory.

“They played a heck of a game,” said Nading after the win. “They were hitting shots they normally wouldn’t hit, but we got some key turnovers in the end.”

Ruths led all scorers with 25 points and grabbed nine rebounds. The senior big man knocked down 11 of 12 from the foul line.

“Troy was awesome,” said Nading. “He was at the right place at the right time and then was able to knock down his free throws. Those were absolutely huge.”

Washington University, which improved its overall record to 18-4 and UAA record to 9-2, steps back onto the court Friday night against No. 10 Brandeis University. The Bears hold a one-game lead over Brandeis and the University of Chicago in UAA play.

“We’re looking forward to Brandeis at home,” said Nading. “They’re second in [the UAA], so we’re really hoping for a big student turnout to help us through the game.”

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