ST. LOUIS – Graduate student Abby Gress scored 29 points, one shy of her career-high, but it wasn't enough as the University of Rochester women's basketball team dropped an 80-64 decision at Washington University in St. Louis on Friday evening at the WashU Field House.
 
After Gress, the rest of the Yellowjackets (11-12, 4-8 UAA) combined for just 35 points in the loss, the second to the Bears this season. Host WashU (15-8, 6-6 UAA) used big advantages in the scoring column in both the second and third quarters to lead to the victory.
 
Gress finished with her game-high 29 points after making 12-of-24 shots from the floor, while tying for the team lead with five rebounds. She added three assists and two steals.
 
Franki Gomez was the only other UR player in double-figures, finishing with 10 points on 4-of-6 shooting. Erin Lillis added nine points, while Annelise Dexter led the reserves with six points.
 
Washington was led by Lexi Harris who had a double-double with 25 points and 11 rebounds. Sidney Rogers poured in 20 points and Jessica Brooks had 15 points and eight boards.
 
During the opening quarter, Rochester's Gress and Lillis scored all 13 points in a 13-0 Yellowjacket surge to put the visitors on top 18-9 with 1:43 left.
 
The lead didn't last though, with the Bears scoring the rest of the points in the period, seven in all, to cut the deficit down to just two as the first quarter buzzer sounded.
 
WashU's run extended to 17-0 as the Bears scored the first ten points of the second, turning the tide in the contest. Rogers hit a triple and two free throws while Harris scored a layup and Ava Blagojevich sank a 3-point shot during the early second quarter spurt.
 
Gress stopped the scoreless drought, but WashU added seven more points in a row to build its lead up to 13 with 3:44 left in the half.
 
The rest of the period, Rochester outscored the Bears by six, to head into the locker room down by seven points at 39-32.
 
Throughout most of the third quarter, Washington held Rochester at arms reach, before a late 9-2 run closed the period with the Bears up by 14 points. Harris beat the buzzer with a layup to put the hosts up 68-54 with ten minutes left.
 
A low scoring fourth quarter saw the two teams combine for just 22 points, with WashU having the 12-10 edge, leading to the 16-point margin of victory.
 
For the night, WashU shot 52% (28-54) from the field and made 47% (9-19) from 3-point range. The Yellowjackets, meanwhile, ended at 42% overall (25-60) and made just 5-of-18 (28%) from distance. The Bears also held the rebound lead, 37-29.
 
Rochester's next matchup is the penultimate contest of the regular season, as UR travels to the University of Chicago for an 11 am central time tip.