CHICAGO – The University of Chicago took advantage of its transition game and defeated the University of Rochester, 75-59, in a matchup of top-five women's basketball teams at the Ratner Athletic Center here on Sunday afternoon.
The Maroons (18-0 overall, 7-0 University Athletic Association) took over sole possession of first place in the league standings. Rochester (17-1, 6-1 UAA) is one game back. Chicago is ranked second in both the D3hoops.com and WBCA polls. Rochester is ranked fifth in both polls. The same two teams meet a week from now in the Palestra.
Chicago scored 29 points off 20 Rochester turnovers. Rochester had 13 points off 21 UC giveaways.
Morgan Herrick led the Maroons with 16 points and four assists. Bryanne Halfhill had 14 points. She hit 4-of-6 outside the arc. Meghan Herrick scored 13 points accompanied by four assists and three steals.
Madeline Korber and
Loren Wagner scored 10 points apiece for Rochester.
Jodie Luther had five assists.
Laney Ming scored six points and had four steals.
Chicago made 29 of 56 from the floor (.518) and eight of 19 from outside the arc (.419). Rochester sank 24 of 53 floor shots (.453) and made three of nine outside the arc (.333).
Michelle Ketcham hit a jumper to tie the score at 9-9 with 14:36 left in the first half. Chicago went on a 13-1 run over the next seven minutes, taking a 22-10 edge. Five players scored with Maggie Ely's four points leading the way.
A conventional three-point play by Luther (layup and free throw) pulled Rochester within four in the last two minutes before both Herricks each made a jumper. It was 35-27 Chicago at the break.
Korber's layup from Luther helped Rochester narrow the deficit to three points (39-36) early in the second half. Chicago's Joanna Torres scored four points as part of an 8-0 run over the next 96 seconds. That staked Chicago to a 49-36 lead with 16:09 to play. The Yellowjackets couldn't get closer than nine after that.
