CHICAGO, Ill. -- The No. 3-ranked Washington University-St. Louis women's basketball team jumped out to a large lead early and kept its offense rolling for a 96-67 win over University of Chicago on Saturday.

The Maroons dropped their record to 3-8 overall and 0-1 in the UAA. The Bears improved to 11-1 overall, 1-0 in conference action.

Washington started the game with a 12-2 lead and expanded it from there. The visitors used screens to free up the shooters for open jumpers and also got the ball effectively deep into the post for layups. UChicago drove the lane with its guards and got looks at the hoop, but had trouble converting in close.

The Bears went on multiple runs offensively in the first half, building the lead past 20 points over the last eight minutes. Washington went into the break leading 54-30. Melissa Gilkey scored 18 points in 18 minutes of work, the Bears shot 52 percent from the field and led the rebounding battle 25-12.

UChicago's Ellie Greiner and Christiane Murray scored seven points apiece in the first 20 minutes. The Maroons shot 46 percent from the field.

Washington led by as many as 35 points in the second half and finished the game with a 48-25 rebounding advantage. The Bears lead NCAA Division III in rebounding margin at +16.1 per game.

UChicago Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal percentage - 45.0 percent (27-60)
Three-point percentage - 36.4 percent (4-11)
Free-throw percentage - 64.3 percent (9-14)
Christiane Murray - 13 points
Claire Devaney - 12 points, 6 of 8 shooting from field
Ellie Greiner - 12 points, 4 rebounds
Julie Muguira - 11 points, 7 rebounds

Washington-St. Louis Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal percentage - 50.7 percent (36-71)
Three-point percentage - 52.9 percent (9-17)
Free-throw percentage - 75.0 percent (15-20)
Melissa Gilkey - 22 points, 9 rebounds
Jordan Rettig - 10 points, 8 rebounds
Maddy Scheppers - 7 points, 6 rebounds

NEXT GAME: Friday, Jan. 11 - UChicago at University of Rochester, 6 PM (ET).