UChicago Records Largest Margin of Victory in 80-29 Win Over Marian
The University of Chicago women's basketball team rolled past Marian University in the Midway Classic opening game, 84-29. The 55-point win goes down as one of the biggest victory margins recorded in program history. UChicago was led by junior Bri Simpson with 14 points and five rebounds.
The Maroons controlled the game from the opening tip, scoring the first nine points and holding the Sabers scoreless for the first four minutes of the game. Chris Sanders opened the scoring for UChicago with a three from the left wing, her first of three in the first quarter. Within minutes, the Maroons extended their lead to 20-4 after a dish from Ruiqi Liu and finish from Alexis Clark. UChicago closed out the first quarter 20-7 and found its momentum for the rest of the game.
Outscoring Marian 28-9 in the second, the Maroons broke the game wide open. Bri Simpson powered UChicago with 13 first-half points, including a pair of threes and multiple fast-break layups to put the Maroons on top. UChicago showcased its depth early on as 10 different Maroons scored in the opening twenty minutes. Clark led the bench points with eight in the first half and controlling the boards en route to a team-high 11 rebounds.
To start off the second half, a layup from Annabelle Spotts sent the Maroons flying to a 10-5 run in the first five minutes of the third quarter. Recording her fourth three of the game to closeout the third, Chris Sanders extended the lead 71-24 as UChicago outscored the Sabers 23-8 in the frame.
The Maroons' defense shone throughout the night, forcing 16 turnovers and holding Marian to just eight points in the paint. Offensively, UChicago shot 44.7% from the field, knocking down 10 threes and tallying 27 second-chance points.
Simpson led all scorers with 14 on the night. Chris Sanders recorded 12 points, going 4-5 from three, and two steals. Earning her first double-double of the year, Clark tallied 12 points and 11 rebounds in 21 minutes of play.