ST. LOUIS, Mo. - With NCAA Tournament hopes on the line, the Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team grabbed a 17-point, 75-58, Senior Day victory over University of Chicago, Saturday, February 24. With the 2024 University Athletic Associate slate complete, the Bears finished second in the league with a UAA record of 10-4. 

 

With the big victory, WashU's record upped to 17-8 (10-4 UAA), while the Maroons' record slipped to 16-9 (9-5 UAAA). 

 

Prior to the contest, WashU honored its three seniors, Christina Walker, Katie Minkler, and Jessica Brooks for their dedication to the WashU women's basketball program. 

 

First year Lexy Harris welcomed a game-high 21 points in the win. Harris hauled in eight boards, two blocks, and one steal. Harris finished the contest shooting 9-of-13 from the floor. 

 

Brooks garnered 11 points, seven rebounds, two assists, and one block.  

 

First year Catherine Goodwin notched 11 points, six rebounds, and two helpers for the Bears. 

 

Additionally, first year Sidney Rogers added nine points and five rebounds. 

 

As a team, WashU connected on 28-of-57 (49.1%) from the field, 14-of-26 (53.8%) from the charity stripe, and 5-of-12 (41.7%) from distance. 

 

The Bears turned in the 44-28 points in the advantage, while WashU's bench outscored Chicago's bench by a final clip of 37-5. 

 

In the opening quarter, with WashU up four, the Maroons then went on a 9-0 run to take the 14-9 advantage. The Bears then responded with a 7-0 run to end the quarter and to take the two-point, 16-14, lead heading into the second stanza. The run saw points from Brooks (four) and Rogers (three).  

 

WashU began the second quarter on a 7-0 run to snag the nine-point, 23-14, cushion. The run lasted nearly four minutes of game time.  

 

The Maroons ended the run on a layup with 5:38 left in the second. 

 

After another Chicago basket, the Bears recorded a 9-0 run to generate the 14-point, 32-18, advantage. Chicago hit a free throw with 25 seconds remaining in the half to put the halftime score at 32-19, in favor of WashU. 

 

In the third quarter, the Maroons trimmed WashU's lead to single digits, 33-24, after a made three. However, free throws from sophomore Brenna Loftus and Rogers put WashU up 12, 36-24, with 6:46 left in the third. 

 

WashU took the 10-point, 48-38, lead into the fourth quarter. 

 

Midway through the fourth, first year Alyssa Hughes connected on a free throw to snag the 57-45 cushion with 5:46 left in the contest. 

 

However, the Maroons assembled the 6-0 run to cut WashU's lead to just six, 57-51, with 4:42 left. 

 

Hughes drained a clutch long ball as the Bears regained the double-digit, 64-54, lead with only 3:09 remaining. 

 

WashU extended its lead to 15, 73-58, on a Walker free throw. 

 

With a comfortable lead in hand, WashU took down Chicago by the final score of 75-58. 

 

The Bears will now turn its attention to the NCAA Division III selection show, Monday, February 26. The selection show is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. If WashU hears its name called, then updates and information can be found here.