WAVERLY, Iowa - After allowing a season-low point total for the No. 7 Wartburg College Knights, the Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team never trailed and cruised to the 72-46 victory, Saturday, December 30. The win earned the Bears the Wartburg Tournament title. WashU's defense created 16 turnovers and the Knights shot just 25.9% from the field as WashU earned its seventh victory of the season. 
 

With the win, WashU's record jumped to 7-4 on the season, while No. 7 Wartburg suffered just their second loss of the season (11-2). 
 

Senior Jessica Brooks led the way for the Bears, posting an impressive game-high 24-points. Brooks capped off a double-double with 11 rebounds. Brooks shot 11-of-18 from the field and drained a pair of threes in the victory. 
 

First year Lexy Harris generated 18-points and eight boards for the Bears, connecting on 9-of-12 from the floor.  
 

Junior Jordan Rich added eight points and six rebounds. 
 

WashU welcomed a 51.8% clip from the field (29-for-56). The Bears nailed 6-of-19 attempts from beyond the line (31.6%) and sunk 8-of-14 from the charity stripe (57.1%). 
 

The Knights shot just 25.9% from the floor (14-for-54) and 16.0% from long range (4-for-25). 
 

The Bears took advantage of Wartburg's miscues, racking up 20 points off turnovers. Additionally, WashU cashed in from the paint, totaling 44 points in the paint, compared to Wartburg's 20 points in the paint. 
 

WashU's bench doubled-up the Knights bench by generating 22 bench points. 
 

In the opening period, the Bears got on the board first with a Brooks layup. After a Knights bucket, WashU went on a 7-0 run, spanning over four minutes. Harris, sophomore Nailah McBeth, and Rich each nailed a bucket in the run. After the run, WashU took the early 9-2 lead with just over four minutes remaining in the first. 
 

The Bears recorded two straight buckets to take the 13-6 lead, but a WashU turnover led to a Wartburg layup as the first period came to a close. WashU held the five-point, 13-8, cushion after the first 10 minutes of play. 
 

In the second, WashU went on a timely 11-0 run to race out to the comfortable 30-13 advantage. WashU's run lasted nearly six minutes and was highlighted by five points from first year Sidney Rogers. 
 

With 2:33 remaining until intermission, Wartburg ended WashU's run with the score at 30-15, in favor of the Bears. WashU ended the first half on a 4-0 run as Harris connected on a pair of layups. 
 

After the first 20 minutes of play, WashU held the comfortable 20-point, 37-17, lead. 
 

The Bears started the third quarter just the way the first half ended, with a pair of layups. This time, Brooks and Harris each found the back of the net to open up the 24-point cushion. 
 

WashU stretched the lead to as many as 27 in the third and took the 24-point lead into the fourth quarter. 
 

In the fourth, the Bears held at least a 23-point advantage for the duration of the quarter. A Brooks long ball pushed WashU's lead to 30, 64-34, with 5:27 remaining. 
 

Wartburg attempted to mount a comeback, but WashU's defensive proved too much as the Bears took down the No. 7 Knights by a convincing final of 72-46 to win the holiday tournament. 
 

WashU will now turn its attention to University Athletic Association action. The Bears will begin league action with a tough road test against No. 11 Chicago, Saturday, January 6. Tip off from Ratner Athletics Center is slated for 1 p.m.