CHICAGO – The RV Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team overcame a late seven-point deficit in the fourth quarter to edge University of Chicago, Saturday, January 6 by a final score of 79-69 to begin University Athletic Association action. The Bears outscored the Maroons by 19, 29-10, which included a 12-0 run in the final frame to seal the victory.
The win marks WashU's fifth straight victory as the Bears now own a record of 8-4 (1-0 UAA). With the loss, Chicago, who is receiving votes in the latest top-25 poll, drops to 7-5 (0-1 UAA).
Three Bears reached double-digit scoring totals. Senior
Jessica Brooks, who landed on D3hoops.com's National Team of the Week last week, paced WashU with an 18-point, eight rebound performance. Brooks finished the game shooting 6-for-11 and went a perfect 5-for-5 at the charity stripe.
First year
Sidney Rogers assembled an eye-opening showing in her conference contest. Rogers spun an 18-point, five rebound game. Rogers ended the contest going 4-for-7 from beyond the arc. Sophomore
Jordan Rich added 10 points, which included three long balls and a free throw.
The Bears shot 27-for-57 from the floor (47.4%), 9-for-23 from long range (39.1%), and 16-for-24 from the charity stripe (66.7%). WashU's defense held the Maroons to a 39.3 field goal percentage (24-for-61) and a 29.4 three-point percentage (5-for-17).
WashU's benched outscored Chicago's bench by an impressive clip of 34-15. The Bears also held the slim, four-point, margin in points in the paint, 32-28.
After four straight points by Chicago to begin the game, first year
Alyssa Hughes got WashU on the board with a layup to trim the deficit to two, 4-2, with 6:58 remaining. Sophomore
Nailah McBeth later connected on a three to put the score at 6-5, in favor of Chicago.
WashU then sunk back-to-back long balls by Rogers and Brooks to snag the four-point, 11-7, advantage with 2:54 left in the first. However, the Maroons ended the quarter on a 6-0 run to take the 13-11 lead after the first 10 minutes of action.
Chicago began the second quarter with a quick layup and three pointer to open up the seven-point, 18-11, advantage. The Bears then responded with a Brooks layup and a Hughes three to trim the deficit to a pair, 18-16, with 8:39 left in the half.
Later in the second, Chicago pushed its cushion to 10, 34-24, with 3:10 remaining. The Bears ended the half on a 6-0 run, which was highlighted by a junior
Brenna Loftus last second jumper. After two quarters of play, the Maroons held the four-point, 36-32, halftime advantage.
After the intermission, back-and-forth play ensued until Chicago produced some separation with a 12-point, 53-41, lead with 3:33 left in the third.
WashU responded with a timely 6-0 run, which saw points from Rogers, McBeth, and Harris, to trim the deficit to six, 53-47. Chicago then hit four free throws to end the third to grab the nine-point, 59-50, lead.
Chicago, looking to pad its lead in the fourth, held the 65-58 lead with just 6:46 left in the contest.
However, in just a two and half minute span, the Bears flipped the script with a momentum changing, 12-0, run to stake the five-point, 70-65, lead. The game changing run was highlighted by back-to-back Rich three-pointers. Also in the run, Brooks hit two layups and Goodwin connected on a layup.
After a timeout, Chicago hit a layup to put WashU's lead at three, 70-67, with 2:57 left.
A few possessions later, after both teams traded baskets, Rich sealed the victory as she nailed a three to push WashU's cushion to seven, 75-68, with just 53 seconds left.
Rogers then converted four free throws to give the Bears a comfortable, 79-68, lead with 22 ticks left.
The Bears ran out the clock to defeat Chicago by a final score of 79-69.
WashU will return to the Field House for a UAA matchup against No. 7 Emory University, Friday, January 12. Tip off between the Bears and Eagles is slated for 5:30 p.m.
