ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team opened up the 22nd McWilliams Classic with a high-scoring, offensive battle, win over Hanover College. The Bears drained a season-high 10 three-pointers in the 86-75 victory, Friday, December 1. With the win, WashU's record is back to the .500 mark at 3-3, while the Panthers sit at 2-3. 

 

In the contest, WashU welcomed a three-point percentage of 40.0, converting on 10-of-25 attempts. The Bears ended the game with a 45.8 field goal percentage (33-for-72).  

 

Led by first-year Lexy Harris and sophomore Nailah McBeth, WashU earned 46 points in the paint, compared to Hanover's 30. In addition, the Bears bested the Panters on the offensive glass, securing 18 offensive rebounds, while Hanover was credited with 10. 

 

At the charity stripe, WashU sunk 10-of-19 tries, good for a 52.6 free throw percentage.  

 

Continuing her phenomenal freshman campaign, Harris posted a career-high 23 points in the victory. Harris then completed her third double-double of the season by hauling in a career-high 15 rebounds. Harris also garnered a trio of rejections. 

 

First-year Alyssa Hughes showcased her range by drilling a game-high four long balls. Hughes finished the contest with 15 points and three boards.  

 

First-year Catherine Goodwin notched 11 points and dished out a game-high seven assists. 

 

Also securing a double-digit point total, McBeth was credited with 10 points. McBeth grabbed six boards in the contest.  

 

Sophomore Jordan Rich contributed nine points, all of which came from beyond the arc.  

 

After back-and-forth play ensued in the opening minutes, Hanover took the slim, one-point, 5-4, lead with 8:20 remaining in the opening period. After a string of buckets, junior Sabrina DelBello drained a jumper in the paint to push WashU cushion to four, 13-9, halfway through the first. 

 

WashU then stretched its lead to eight on back-to-back layups from Harris, 17-9. Following a Hanover layup, first-year Sidney Rogers sprinted down the court and drew a shooting foul with under a second left in the first. Rogers connected on both attempts to give the Bears an eight-point, 24-16, advantage after 10 minutes of play. 

 

After the break, the Bears opened the second quarter on an 11-0 run, spanning the first 3:14 of the period. Harris hightailed the run with six points as WashU opened up the 19-point, 35-16, lead. Later in the period, Hughes drained a three to give the Bears a comfortable, 41-25, advantage. 

 

With just two ticks remaining until the half, the Panthers tallied a score to trim its deficit to 16, 49-33, heading into the break. 

 

In the third, WashU maintained at least a double-digit cushion for the duration of the period. Hanover got within 10 on a made three, but a Harris free throw and a Rich three put the Bears back up by 14 with 3:27 left in the third. With 30 minutes in the books, WashU led by 13, 70-57. 

 

McBeth tallied back-to-back buckets to extend the Bears lead to 17, 76-59, with 8:40 on the clock in the fourth. Later in the final period, Harris sunk a free throw to open up the 20-point, 79-59, lead. 

 

With the comfortable lead in hand, WashU went on to grab the 11-point, 86-75, victory over Hanover. 

 

The Bears will conclude the McWilliams Classic tomorrow, December 2, with a contest against University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, who is receiving votes in the latest d3hoops top-25 poll. Tipoff is scheduled for 5 p.m., inside of the Field House.