From Washington University Athletics
The No. 20-ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team allowed a season-low point total in a 72-44 win over Brandeis University Sunday afternoon in St. Louis.
The Bears limited Brandeis to 31.6 percent (18-of-57) shooting in the win, including 3-of-19 from three-point range.
WashU improved to 19-5, 8-5 in the University Athletic Association (UAA), while Brandeis fell to 9-15, 4-9 in the conference. WashU and the University of Chicago are tied for second in the UAA standings, one game back of Emory University with one game remaining.
Senior forward Nick Burt scored a game-high 19 points and added eight rebounds, while senior forward Matt Palucki added 16 points and six rebounds. Junior guard Luke Silverman-Lloyd also scored in double figures with 14 points on 6-of-9 shooting.
WashU shot 54.5 percent (30-of-55) from the field in the win, and hit 9-of-10 from the free-throw line. The Bears outrebounded Brandeis, 41-28, and had an 18-9 advantage in points off turnovers.
The two teams started slow as the game was tied 8-8 six minutes into the contest. Brandeis took its largest lead of the game at 16-10 with 9:41 left following a three-pointer from KJ Baptiste.
The Judges went ice cold from the field in the final 9:40, going 1-for-10 from the field with five turnovers. WashU answered with a 17-2 run as the Bears took a 27-18 lead to the half. Palucki had six points and sophomore guard Peter Rankowitz added a three-pointer during the decisive run.
Palucki had 10 points to lead all scorers, while Burt added eight points as WashU shot 45.5 percent (10-for-22) from the field. The Bears limited Brandeis to 30.8 percent (8-for-26) shooting and forced seven turnovers.
The Bears quickly got the lead to 13 (38-25) with 15:04 to play after a three by Silverman-Lloyd, and then a thunderous one-handed dunk by Burt made it 48-34. A jumper by freshman forward Matt Highsmith with 4:47 play pushed the lead to 20 (61-41).
Tim Reale had 11 points to lead Brandeis, who tied a season-low with three from beyond the arc.
Washington U. closes out regular-season play at home against Chicago on Saturday, Feb. 28, at 3 p.m. The Bears will honors their four seniors prior to tip-off: Burt, David Fatoki, Kent Lacob and Palucki.
Bear Notebook: WashU leads the all-time series with Brandeis, 43-11, and the Bears have won 12 of the last 16 meetings … Palucki appeared in his 105th game, tied for 10th most in school history … Palucki passed Troy Ruths (2004-08) for third place in career rebounds with 712 … WashU is 8-1 at home this season and 103-13 dating back to 2006-07 … The Judges entered the game first in the UAA in scoring defense (64.4 ppg) … WashU is 17-0 when leading at the half … The Bears have won 18 of their last 19 games played on Sunday.