Defense Shines as No. 17 UChicago Picks up Road Win at Rochester
The 17th-ranked University of Chicago women's basketball team picked up a 61-54 victory on the road at Rochester thanks to one of their top defensive performances of the season.
UChicago came out of the gates hot with a 9-2 run, capped by a Chris Sanders triple, to force a quick Rochester timeout early in the game.
After the Yellowjackets cut the lead to 9-6, the UChicago defense then took center stage as the Maroons held Rochester to just three points over the next nine minutes of the game. UChicago would take a 23-9 lead over the Yellowjackets before heading into the half with a 31-17 lead.
The Rochester offense came alive in the third quarter, scoring 19 points, two more than they scored in the first half, to put the pressure on UChicago. However, the Maroons stood up to the challenge, scoring 17 points of their own to hold a double-digit lead at 48-36 at the end of the third quarter.
After Kate Gross hit the first shot of the fourth quarter, Rochester began to climb back into the game with a 7-0 run, all coming off of free throws, to cut the lead to seven at 50-43. The seven-point lead was the closest the game had been since UChicago led 15-9 with 8:12 to go in the second quarter.
As it has been several times this season, the Maroons turned to their closer late in the game as Annabelle Spotts scored the next six points for the Maroons to help keep the Yellowjackets at arms length. A layup by Kasi Samuda and clutch free throws down the stretch would put the game away and help seal the 61-54 victory for UChicago. The Maroons held their opponent below 60 points for the ninth time in the last 11 games. They improve to 13-0 on the seaosn when holding their opponent below the 60-point threshold this season.
Alexis Clark was dominant inside for UChicago, leading the team with 12 points and grabbing 6 rebounds on 5-7 shooting from the field. Bri Simpson added 11 points, and Chris Sanders and Annabelle Spotts each finished with 10 for the Maroons. Spotts also recorded a team-high seven rebounds and two steals, and Sanders led the team with thre assists.