UChicago Holds Off Brandeis to Extend Win Streak to Three
After trailing at halftime, the sixth-ranked University of Chicago men's basketball team pulled away for a 77-71 road victory over Brandeis University on Friday night.
In a contest that featured 12 lead changes and six ties, the Maroons relied on efficient second-half shooting to complete the season sweep of the Judges. UChicago shot 52.8 percent from the field and assisted on 17 of its 28 made baskets, outscoring Brandeis 44-34 after the break.
The Maroons came out sharp offensively, jumping to an early 11-6 lead behind back-to-back baskets from Joe Berry. The senior guard opened the scoring with a layup and followed with a three-pointer, while Shane Regan added an inside finish to push the tempo. UChicago continued to find its rhythm, but the Judges answered, cutting the lead to one with less than nine minutes remaining in the first half.
Regan's third three-pointer of the period pushed the lead to 33-27, but the Judges closed the half on a surge. Brandeis finished the opening 20 minutes on a 10-0 run to take a four-point advantage into halftime.
UChicago responded immediately after the break. Regan found Daniel Cochran for a layup to open the half, and Berry knocked down a three-pointer to give the Maroons the lead back. Moments later, Phillip Lawrence converted a fastbreak layup to stretch the advantage to nine, igniting a pivotal stretch that swung control back to UChicago.
Brandeis would not go away. The Judges heated up and cut the deficit to three with just over nine minutes remaining. A few minutes later, the score was tied at 59.
Facing a one-point Brandeis lead in the final two minutes, UChicago showed its composure. Noah Pit converted two free throws with 1:29 left to reclaim a 72-71 edge. After a key defensive stop, Regan finished through contact to extend the lead to three. UChicago then came up with another stop and sealed the victory at the free-throw line, as Berry and Cochran combined to hit three clutch free throws in the final seconds.
Regan led the Maroons with 22 points, adding six rebounds and a team-high seven assists in 39 minutes of action. Cochran tallied 17 points, including four three-pointers, and grabbed nine rebounds. Berry finished with 13 points, seven boards and four assists, while Nick Roper added 10 points. Pit contributed seven points and went a perfect 4-for-4 from the free-throw line.
The Maroons sit at 20-3 overall and 10-2 in UAA play.