From University of Chicago Athletics
Five different players notched double-figure scoring and a big second-quarter run fueled a lop-sided result that gave University of Chicago women's basketball head coach Carissa Sain her 100th career win Thursday night at Lake Forest College.
The Maroons (1-0) defeated the host Foresters (0-1) by a score of 85-63, though both teams played near-even for the first 15 minutes.
The Foresters trailed by just two, 17-15, before UChicago exploded for 24 points in the second frame and held Lake Forest to just nine to take a 41-24 lead at the break that was never challenged.
Junior Taylor Lake led the Maroons with 15 points, nine rebounds, four steals, and two assists, and she only missed three shots from the floor, making 7 of 12. Senior teammate Jamie Kockenmeister added 14 points and seven boards, making 5 of 8, and junior Mia Farrell chipped in 11 points, five rebounds, three assists and two steals.
The Maroons shot a solid 46.2 percent from the floor and made 19 of 23 (73.1 percent) of their free throws, while holding the Foresters 33.3 percent shooting from the field. Lake Forest struggled from both 3-point land (2 of 9) and the charity stripe, making 17 of 29 (58.6 percent).
The second quarter that proved to be the game-changer started with a Kockenmeister made 3 that put UChicago up five, 20-15. For the next six minutes, both teams traded baskets and the Maroons led by only two, 24-22, with 5:55 to go before the break.
The Foresters would score just two more points before heading into the locker room. UChicago's scrappy defense turned the tide and created a 17-2 run to give the Maroons a cushion before they used a 21-12 third quarter to put the game away.
First-year Klaire Steffens finished with 12 points off the bench, making 8-of-9 free throws, and sophomore Meaghan O'Haraadded nine points, four rebounds two blocks in the win.
Jaianna Brooks scored 13 points to lead Lake Forest in the loss.
In her seventh season at the helm, Sain collected her 100th career win – she holds a 100-55 record in her six full seasons (plus one game), which also includes two University Athletic Association championships and two NCAA appearances.