ST. LOUIS, Mo. – An early push by Case Western Reserve saw the Spartans jump out to an early lead they would not give up as No. 13 Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team fell, 64-57, in a Friday night showdown at the Field House. With the loss, the Bears move to 10-3 overall and 1-1 in the UAA.

Sophomore Alyssa Hughes led WashU in scoring with 19 points. Graduate Jessica Brooks, who was honored for breaking 1,000 career points earlier this season prior to the game, recorded her sixth double-double of the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

The Bears led in rebounding, 48-33, which translated to a 14-3 margin in second chance points.

The Spartans had the edge in three pointers, 10-6, with six of theirs coming in the first quarter alone.

Sophomore Lexy Harris scored the first points of the game on a layup and assist from Brooks. After a quick three by CWRU, Hughes scored her first points of the game to give the Bears the lead back, 4-3, with 8:31 left on the clock.

The teams would tie up again at 8-8 before the Spartans closed out the quarter on a 12-4 run to put themselves ahead 10-12 after the first 10 minutes of action.

CWRU built their lead up to 13 in the second quarter with 3:47 before halftime. The Bears were unable to get any closer than 11, on a free throw by first-year Emilee Travnicek with 54 second left. The Spartans carried a 33-21 lead into the locker room.

When it looked like the Spartans would run away with the score, leading 40-24 with 5:58 left in the third quarter, the Bears pushed back with a 12-0 run. The scoring streak was started by a layup from Brooks and was capped by a three pointer from sophomore Catherine Goodwin at 1:24.

CWRU responded with four quick points to the period for the 44-36 lead going into the final quarter.

A layup by the visitors pushed their advantage back to double digits with 9:22 left, but another run by WashU, this time a 7-0 stretch, pulled the home team back within three less than a minute later at 8:34.

It was here that the teams began to trade points and free throws with CWRU maintaining a three-point lead at 60-57 with 32 seconds left. Needing to foul and try and run a quick play, the Bears were unable to overcome the Spartans, falling 64-57.

WashU will be back in action on Sunday, Jan. 19 when they host their first nationally ranked team of 2025 as No. 23 Carnegie Mellon visits town. The conference matchup has a special start time of 11 a.m. from inside the Field House.