CHICAGO – Senior guard Nofi Mojidi (Silver Spring, Md./ Bullis School) scored 25 points as the 21st-ranked University of Chicago women's basketball team defeated #23 Washington (Mo.) University 76-53 at the Ratner Athletics Center to win the University Athletic Association title and earn an automatic bid to the 2008 NCAA Division III tournament.

The teams entered the game tied atop the UAA standings with 10-3 marks in conference play. With the victory, Chicago (20-5 overall, 11-3 UAA) captured its first league title since 1988-89 and its first-ever outright crown. The Maroons also recorded their second 20-win season to date and first since 1989-90.

Chicago controlled the game from the outset. The Maroons jumped out to a 22-6 lead at the halfway point of the first period and opened up a 21-point advantage, 37-16, at the intermission. Chicago forced 10 turnovers and notched a 15-0 edge in points off turnovers in the game's first 20 minutes.

Sophomore forward Molly Hackney (East Lansing, Mich./ Lansing Catholic) and Mojidi combined for 23 of the Maroons' 37 first-half points.

The Maroons outscored Washington (18-7, 10-4) 9-4 during the first 3:43 of the second stanza to take their largest lead of the game, 46-20.

Washington went on a 12-2 run to cut the Maroons' lead to 48-32 at the 12:39 mark, but Mojidi then tallied 10 points over the next eight minutes as Chicago expanded its lead to 65-45 with 4:40 to play.

Hackney finished with 18 points, while sophomore forward Anna Woods (Bala Cynwyd, Pa./ Lower Merion) turned in her second career double-double with 13 points and 12 boards. Hackney and Woods, who entered the game ranked first and third, respectively, among the UAA blocked shots leaders, each rejected two shots.

Sophomore point guard Jamie Stinson (Topeka, Kan./ Shawnee Heights) handed out eight assists as the Maroons finished the day with 21 assists and only eight turnovers.

Zoe Unruh was the only Bear to reach double figures with 14 points. Janice Evans grabbed 10 rebounds in a losing effort.

Chicago finished the regular season with a seven-game winning streak and a 12-1 homecourt record. The NCAA will announce its 2008 Division III tournament bracket on Monday, Mar. 3.

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