WAVERLY, Iowa - After generating an 18-point first quarter lead, the Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team took down University of Wisconsin-River Falls, 67-60 in the opening round of the two-day Wartburg Tournament, Friday, December 29. The Falcons cut the deficit to just five in the fourth quarter, but clutch free throws from sophomore Jordan Rich, first year Catherine Goodwin, and senior Jessica Brooks preserved the victory. 

With the win, WashU's record jumped to 6-4, while UW-River Falls record dipped to 8-2. 

First year Sidney Rogers tied a career-high with 16 points in the victory. Brooks added a near double-double with 14 points and seven rebounds. 

Goodwin and junior Brenna Loftus each recorded nine points, while first year Lexy Harris finished with six points. 

As a team, the Bears shot 38.5% from the field (20-for-52), 31.8% from beyond the arc (7-for-22), and 80.0% from the charity stripe (20-for-25). 

WashU's bench outscored the Falcons bench by 10 (26-16). The Bears held the advantage in fast break points (17-12), while UW-River Falls held the upper hand in points in the paint (26-24) and points off turnovers (19-17). 

In the first quarter, after UW-River Falls held the 3-2 lead, the Bears then went on a 14-0 run, spanning nearly four minutes, to welcome the 16-3 cushion. The run started on a Goodwin layup and a Brooks long ball on back-to-back possessions. 

WashU closed out the opening period on a 7-0 run to snag the 25-7 lead after the first 10 minutes.  

After back-to-back UW-River Falls buckets to begin the second, Rogers dialed up a long ball with 8:42 remaining to put the score at 28-11, in favor of the Bears. After the three, Rogers then converted an and-one to cap off her sixth straight point. After Rogers' run, WashU held the comfortable 20-point, 31-11, advantage with 7:59 left. 

The Falcons then responded with an eight-point run to trim the deficit to 12, 31-19. However, junior Sabrina DelBello ended the run with a three pointer. With 2:32 remaining in the second, Rich drilled a three to push WashU's lead to 22, 41-19. 

The Bears generated a 23-point, 44-21, halftime lead. 

In the third quarter, WashU maintained a 20-point cushion throughout the period. The Falcons sunk a three with just two seconds on the clock to put the score at 57-35. 

UW-River Falls trimmed the deficit to just nine in the fourth after a 9-0 run with 1:26 left in the contest. After a Loftus free throw, the Falcons converted a layup and a three-pointer to push the score to 63-58 with 45 seconds remaining.  

On WashU's next possession, Rich was fouled and drained both free throws to give the Bears a seven-point, 65-58, lead with 36 seconds left. 

The Falcons raced down the court and deposited a layup to cut WashU's lead to five, 65-60, with 32 ticks remaining. 

However, Goodwin and Brooks each stepped up to the charity stripe and drilled pressure filled free throws to seal the 67-60 victory. 

The Falcons sent up a three with 11 seconds left, but WashU secured the rebound and the win. 

The Bears will square off with host, No. 7 Wartburg College, tomorrow, Saturday, December 30 in the Wartburg Tournament championship game. Tip off from Levick Arena is scheduled for 3 p.m.