From University of Chicago Athletics
The University of Chicago men's basketball team kept its torrid scoring streak rolling with a 121-101 victory against Rhodes College at the Rhodes Holiday Classic on Sunday afternoon.
The Maroons (8-1 record) netted their most points in a game since the 1995-96 season, when they tallied a school-record 137 versus Grinnell College. UChicago has now scored at least 90 points in a game four times this year. The Lynx dropped their record to 4-5.
The visitors took advantage of Rhodes' fast-paced, threes-and-press playing style to rack up a school-record 34 assists. They broke the previous mark of 31, which was set in the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons versus Grinnell. Once UChicago broke the press, the forwards were able to have their way in the post all day. The Maroons only attempted eight three-pointers out of their 72 total shots, and shot a season-high 63.9 percent from the field.
UChicago's forward trio of senior Blaine Crawford, senior Waller Perez and sophomore Ryan Jacobsen reaped the benefits, combining for 76 points on 30-for-36 shooting (83.3 percent). Senior guard Tyler Howard added 12 points and seven assists running the point.
With the offense clicking on all cylinders, the Maroons shot 73.5 percent in the first half en route to 62 points in 20 minutes of play. Perez put up 15 points while Crawford and Jacobsen each netted 14. At 12-11, UChicago made its move with a 13-2 run. The points went back-and-forth again until a 12-2 streak put the visitors ahead 46-29. The advantage went as high as 20 points before halftime, and UChicago headed into the break with a 62-49 lead.
A fast-break dunk by Perez made the score 90-66 in the second half, and Crawford's dunk with 8:15 left gave the team its biggest lead of the afternoon at 104-76. UChicago cruised from there for the eventual 20-point victory.
The Maroons owned the paint with a 54-38 rebounding edge. Junior forward Collin Barthel was the biggest contributor with 10 rebounds while Crawford snagged nine boards himself.
Rhodes shot 40.2 percent for the game and made 17 of 47 three-pointers (36.2 percent). UChicago committed 24 turnovers compared to 16 by the Lynx.