ST. LOUIS, Mo. - After a 16-point halftime deficit, the No. 25 Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team took the lead late in the third, but University of Rochester drilled several late free throws to defeat WashU by a final score of 75-71, Sunday, January 14, in University Athletic Association action.
With the loss, WashU's record now stands at 8-6 (1-2 UAA), while UR's record jumped to 6-8 (1-2 UAA).
Four Bears eclipsed double-digit point totals, led by a career day from first year
Sidney Rogers. Rogers poured in a career-high 21 points in the setback. Rogers finished 8-of-16 from the field, which included a 3-of-7 effort from long range. Rogers also dished out four assists, was credited with four steals, and hauled in three rebounds.
First year
Lexy Harris registered a 20-point, five rebound performance. Harris ended the game shooting 9-for-10 from the field. Harris also notched a career-high with four rejections.
Senior
Jessica Brooks spun a double-double for the Bears. Brooks secured 15-points and 11 rebounds.
As a team, WashU connected on 30-of-66 from the field (45.5%), 6-for-21 from long range (28.6%), and 5-for-14 from the charity stripe (35.7%).
The Bears held the 16-point advantage in point in the paint (48-32). However, Rochester notched the eight-point cushion in points off turnovers (25-17).
With WashU up by five early, 7-2, Rochester then went on a 16-point run. The run, which spun over five minutes, put UR ahead by 11 with 1:30 left in the opening quarter. A Harris jumper stopped the run with 1:12 remaining.
The Yellowjackets connected on a jumper with just two ticks left in the first to open up an 11-point, 20-9, lead after one quarter of play.
In the second, UR pushed its lead to as many as 20 with 5:43 remaining until halftime. WashU managed to trim its deficit to 16, 45-29, heading into the halftime intermission.
In the third, after both teams exchanged baskets, WashU then assembled an 11-point run to cut the deficit to just five, 47-42, with 6:18 left. The run was highlighted by a trio of threes, two from Rogers and one from Brooks.
With back-to-back long balls from the Bears, WashU took the one-point, 51-50, lead with 3:57 remaining in the third. Rogers and sophomore
Jordan Rich each drilled a three.
However, Rochester closed out the third on a 9-0 run to generate the 60-52 cushion after three quarters.
UR stretched its lead to 11 in the fourth, but the Bears were able to erase most of the deficit and to put the score at 65-63, in favor of UR, with just 2:52 left.
After back-and-forth play, Rochester hit a free throw and a layup to own the five-point, 70-65, cushion with 56 seconds remaining.
UR converted five free throws down the stretch to secure the close, 75-71, victory over the Bears.
The Bears will continue UAA action with two road contests next weekend. WashU will first trek east to tangle with No. 1 New York University, Friday, January 19. The Bears will then head to Boston for a dual against Brandeis University, Sunday, January 21.
