WashU men's basketball upsets No. 1 Emory on HardyStrong night

The Bears' win honors former player Justin Hardy, who tragically passed away in 2022 after a fight with cancer.

Feb. 1, 2026 at 1:31am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The WashU men's basketball team pulled off a major upset against the top-ranked Emory University Eagles on Friday, Jan. 30. The game was dedicated to former WashU player Justin Hardy, who passed away in 2022 after a battle with cancer. The Bears came out determined and built a big early lead, eventually winning 89-74 in a physical contest. Junior guard Ryan Cohen led the way with 24 points, while sophomores Connor May and Anthony Przybilla also made key contributions.

Why it matters

This win was especially meaningful for the WashU community, as it honored the legacy of Justin Hardy, a beloved former player who inspired the team and athletics department during his courageous fight against cancer. The game provided an opportunity to share Hardy's story with a new generation of players and fans.

The details

The Bears jumped out to a 17-5 lead in the first five minutes and led 37-32 at halftime. The physical play led to several technical fouls on Emory, further swinging the momentum in WashU's favor. Cohen was 9-for-12 from the free throw line, while May and Przybilla also had strong scoring games. WashU shot 50% from the field, including 71.4% in the second half.

  • The game was played on Friday, January 30, 2026.
  • Justin Hardy passed away on May 29, 2022 after a 13-month battle with Stage IV stomach cancer.

The players

Ryan Cohen

A junior guard for the WashU men's basketball team who led the team in scoring with 24 points.

Justin Hardy

A former WashU basketball player who passed away in 2022 after a courageous fight with cancer. His legacy and inspiration were honored during the game.

Pat Juckem

The head coach of the WashU men's basketball team, who spoke about the importance of honoring Justin Hardy's memory.

Connor May

A sophomore forward for the WashU men's basketball team who scored 19 points in the upset win.

Anthony Przybilla

A sophomore forward for the WashU men's basketball team who contributed 13 points to the victory.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“We play for him. Everything we do is through him, and he energizes us. He gives us belief.”

— Ryan Cohen, Junior guard

“We [are] entering into a new phase of this where all of our students and now all of our players, save for Kyle, [never met Hardy]. It's a story they've heard about, but they weren't here to see it firsthand, the emotional, miraculous embodiment of all the right things that Justin was.”

— Pat Juckem, Head coach

What’s next

The Bears will look to build on this upset win when they host the University of Rochester on Sunday, February 1st.

The takeaway

This victory was about more than just basketball - it was an opportunity to honor the legacy of a beloved former player, Justin Hardy, whose courageous fight against cancer inspired the WashU community. The Bears' win showed the power of playing for a cause greater than themselves.