ST. LOUIS, Mo. – Playing in their final home contest of 2025, the No. 18 Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team used a strong third quarter to pull away from Augustana on Friday afternoon for an 82-54 win.
The Bears led in most statistical categories as they finished ahead in free throws (16-8), rebounds (44-35), assists (16-10), bench points (21-11), blocks (3-0), and steals (9-7). Both teams finished with eight three-pointers made.
WashU jumped out to a six-point lead just over a minute and thirty seconds into the contest on a three-pointer from Hughes, 8-2. Less than three minutes later, the Vikings had gone on a run of their own with a 9-0 stretch to take a three-point lead at 5:40 in the first.
Junior
Nailah McBeth tied the game at 12-12 with a jumper at 3:04, and a three by Rich at 1:35 gave the Bears the lead for good, 15-12.
Leading 17-12 after the first period, WashU saw its lead bloom to 10 just 1:17 into the second quarter, 24-14. A three by Augustana at 6:06 saw the Bears' lead drop to seven, but a layup from McBeth and a three from sophomore
Hope Drake put the lead back up to double-digits for good, 31-19.
The teams traded baskets and free throws for the final five minutes of the first half before WashU headed into the locker room with a 40-29 lead.
The third quarter was all Bears as WashU outscored the Vikings 25-12. Harris led the charge in the period, scoring eight of her 10 points, while both Rich and Hughes each added six points. A layup from junior
Sydney Starks at 3:04 started a 13-0 run for WashU, capped by a pair of free throws by Hughes at 9:50 in the fourth quarter.
The Bears would lead by as many as 33 on a layup from sophomore
Ava Blagojevich at 4:15 before both teams sent in subs as WashU settled in for the 28-point victory.
Four Bears finished in double figures, led by junior
Alyssa Hughes' 21 points. Senior
Jordan Rich tallied 13 points, while juniors
Catherine Goodwin and
Lexy Harris each finished with 10 points. Harris nearly added another double-double to her total for the season as she had the game-high of nine rebounds.
WashU will take a quick break for the holidays before returning to the road on Dec. 29 and 30 when they travel to St. Petersburg, Fla. The Bears open the St. Petersburg tournament with a contest against Southern Virginia on Monday, Dec. 29 at 1 p.m. ET. They follow up the next day on Tuesday, Dec. 30 with their final game of 2025 against RV Christopher Newport University at 1 p.m. ET. Both games are being played at Eckerd College.
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Elevating scholar-champions requires resources beyond the institutional budget. Through the W Club, generous alumni, parents, and friends provide unrestricted support that is essential to the extraordinary WashU student-athlete experience—and the ongoing growth and development of the department. Annual support for Athletics allows the Bears to consistently rise to national levels of competition and ensures that our student-athletes enjoy exceptional opportunities as they train, compete, and lead. To make a gift to the Annual Fund for Athletics, please visit our secure online giving form or contact the Athletics Advancement Office at athletics@wustl.edu.
