November 29, 2006

Maroons Defeat Aurora; Improve to 5-0

AURORA, Ill. -- Junior Nofi Mojidi (Silver Spring, Md./ Bullis School) led three Maroons in double figures with 21 points as the 25th-ranked University of Chicago women's basketball team defeated Aurora University 74-65 on Wednesday night.

Mojidi turned in her second straight 20-point performance and third in five games as the Chicago improved to 5-0.

The first half featured eight lead changes and seven ties as the teams entered the intermission deadlocked at 40-40.

The game was even at 48-48 with 12:57 remaining before junior Lori Tanaka (Chicago, Ill./ Lane Tech) hit a pair of three-pointers 30 seconds apart to give Chicago a 54-50 edge at the 11:08 mark.

Aurora (2-2) led for the last time when Tiffani Gueste's basket put the Spartans on top 55-54 with 9:56 to go.

Freshman Molly Hackney (East Lansing, Mich./ Lansing Catholic) gave the Maroons the lead for good, 56-55, with a jumper at the 9:19 mark. Mojidi then hit a three-pointer with 8:45 left and sunk a pair of free throws with 7:49 left as Chicago built a 61-55 lead.

Aurora got within three points, 68-65, with 1:12 to play, but a basket by Mojidi and two free throws by Hackney in the game's final minute sealed the win.

Hackney finished with a career-high 14 points to go along with seven rebounds. Senior Korry Schwanz (Menominee, Mich./ Menominee) added 13 points, giving her 973 for her career.

Aurora's Naomi Guise notched game highs with 27 points and 10 boards. Meagan Re finished with 14 points.

Box Score