Fulton, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team earned a convincing 67-52 road victory at Westminster in non-conference play on Thursday evening in Fulton, Mo. 
 
With the victory, WashU moves to 5-1 on the year and also collects its first true road win of the year. 
 
WashU had an efficient night offensively and shot 42 percent from the field, but its defense was crucial in the victory, forcing 19 turnovers in total. Additionally, the Bears also scored 25 points off turnovers and finished with 48 points in the paint. Second-chance points were also critical for WU, as they finished with 17 on Thursday. 
 
Behind a double-double of 20 points and 10 rebounds from junior Jessica Brooks, the Bears outscored Westminster 36-28 in the second half to pull away for good. 
 
Brooks, a St. Louis native, also posted a team-best seven steals and dished out four assists as she shot 9-20 from the field.
 
Also reaching double figures scoring was first-years Jordan Rich and Nailah McBeth, who both recorded a season-high 13 points. In addition, McBeth tallied six boards and four assists, while Rich registered five rebounds. 
 
Karisa Grandison notched eight points and Sammi Matoush added seven points and nine rebounds, while Brenna Loftus collected four points and five rebounds. 
 
The Bears had a strong opening quarter on both ends of the floor, forcing eight WC turnovers as they used an 11-1 scoring run to close out the first quarter for a 17-10 advantage. 
 
In the second period, WashU pushed its lead out to double digits at 23-13, capping off a 17-4 run following a jumper in the paint from Loftus. 
 
Westminster sliced the lead down to just three points at 27-24 late in the quarter but the Bears would score on its final two possessions in the half to take a 31-24 advantage heading into halftime. 
 
Brooks was a key catalyst towards WashU's offensive success in the third, scoring 10 points on 5-7 shooting, along with three rebounds, two steals, and an assist. 
 
Leading 33-28, the Bears regrouped and went on an 8-2 scoring run, with Brooks scoring six points in the run to put WU ahead 41-30. 
 
Late in the quarter, a three from Grandison extended the lead out to 47-33 and WashU would maintain a 10-point lead heading into the fourth quarter at 49-39. 
 
In the fourth, a jumper from Matosuh in the paint gave the Bears their largest lead of the night at 64-45, as WU opened the period on a 13-6 run. 
 
The Bears will be back in action on December 7 at Fontbonne.