From University of Chicago Athletics
Sunday's back-and-forth affair swung to the home team in the final minute as the University of Chicago women's basketball team came up clutch to knock off No. 7-ranked University of Rochester 58-56.
The Maroons (12-6 overall) won their third-straight game and improved their University Athletic Association (UAA) mark to 4-3. The Yellowjackets dropped their second-straight contest to move to 15-2 overall and 5-2 in conference.
The two teams found themselves tied at the end of each quarter, and the prospect of overtime was in play up until the final moments. Rochester took a 56-52 lead with 2:45 remaining in the game, but senior guard Caitlin Moore's driving lay-in on the next possession halved the deficit. Off a Rochester defensive rebound, sophomore guard Madison Dunbar flew in from the back side, stole the ensuing pass and scored in close to tie the game at 56-56 with 1:27 left.
The Yellowjackets missed two chances with a minute left, and junior guard Stephanie Andersonprovided UChicago's go-ahead layup with 36 seconds on the clock. Rochester missed a jumper with 13 seconds left and sophomore guard Elizabeth Nye pounced on the rebound. The Yellowjackets attempted to foul multiple times to get the ball back, but Rochester couldn't secure the requisite number to force free throws before time expired.
Each time one side would try to take over the game, the other would have an answer. Rochester held an early 12-6 lead that was soon erased. The Maroons took a 33-25 advantage in the second quarter after three-pointers from Dunbar and sophomore guard Katie Anderson. But the Yellowjackets closed the half on an 8-0 run to knot the halftime score at 33-33.
The visitors carried the momentum to the third quarter and scored the first nine points. UChicago endured a seven-minute scoring drought all told and struggled to finish at the rim throughout the day. However, a stingy and active defense kept the Maroons in the fray. Rochester played fast and loose on offense, resulting in numerous turnovers as UChicago picked off perimeter passes. An 11-2 Maroon run tied the game once again at 44-44 heading into the fourth quarter.
UChicago shot only 33.8 percent from the field, but cancelled it out by forcing 24 turnovers. The Maroons also held a massive 25-2 bench scoring advantage. Rebounds went to the Yellowjackets by a 43-41 margin.
Nye led the UChicago scoring with 13 points. Dunbar added 11 points while freshman forward Olariche Obi posted eight points, eight rebounds and four steals. Dunbar and Nye recorded three steals apiece.
UChicago Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal Percentage – 33.8 percent (24-71)
Three-point Percentage – 25.0 percent (4-16)
Free-throw Percentage – 54.5 percent (6-11)
Elizabeth Nye (Guard, So.) – 13 points, 5 rebounds. 3 steals
Madison Dunbar (Guard, So.) – 11 points, 3 steals, 3 assists
Olariche Obi (Forward, Fr.) – 8 points, 8 rebounds, 4 steals
Rochester Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal Percentage – 38.2 percent (21-55)
Three-point Percentage – 36.4 percent (4-11)
Free-throw Percentage – 83.3 percent (10-12)
Alexandra Leslie – 22 points, 18 rebounds, 3 blocks