Mike McGrath Earns 300th Win, UChicago Men’s Basketball Routs Washington College 85-51

Mike McGrath Earns 300th Win, UChicago Men’s Basketball Routs Washington College 85-51

From University of Chicago Athletics

The University of Chicago men's basketball team came out of the gate strong and never let Washington College into the game with an 85-51 blowout victory on Saturday afternoon.

The Maroons improved to 2-5 while the Shoremen dropped to 2-5.

When the final buzzer sounded, UChicago Head Coach Mike McGrath officially earned his 300th career victory. McGrath is in his 21st season leading the Maroons and is the program's all-time wins leader with a 300-214 mark.

Saturday's contest was dominated by the home team in almost all aspects. UChicago cleaned up the boards, ending with a gigantic 65-34 rebounding advantage. Washington only converted 25.4 percent of its field goals, including a 1-for-17 showing from three-point range. UChicago also blocked eight shots, which featured a career-best five blocks from sophomore guard Ryan Martin. One category that went the visitors' way was turnovers (15-9).

The Shoremen scored first on a transition bucket, but that was the last lead they would have the rest of the afternoon. The Maroons reeled off the next 12 points and never let up from there. Junior forward Dominic Laravie contributed six of those points during the run.

Washington couldn't get a rhythm going on offense, rushing shots frequently with no presence on the boards. Interior passes were continually stifled or stolen by UChicago's defense.

With a 22-8 lead, the home side made its biggest push of the game. Over the next 10 minutes of game time, the Maroons embarked on an 18-2 run that Washington never recovered from.

First-year forward Bryce Hopkins was a contributor with nine-straight points by himself to make it 42-11. Hopkins was able to penetrate the lane and finish on each basket while drawing contact in the paint. The halftime score stood at 42-17.

Laravie tallied six of his team's opening seven points of the second half, and the Maroons cruised the rest of the way. The junior finished as the high scorer with 23 points and 10 rebounds, making multiple turnaround baseline jumpers in the process.

Hopkins added the first double-double of his career with 13 points and 10 rebounds off the bench. Senior guard Cole Schmitz joined the party with 11 points and 10 rebounds. The point guard duo of senior Jordan Baum and sophomore Brandon Beckman posted eight assists each.

UChicago finished with a shooting line of 42.5 percent on field goals, 25 percent on threes (7-28) and 66.7 percent on free throws (16-24).