ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The University of Chicago women's basketball team opened its conference schedule with an 87-72 loss to No. 2-ranked Washington University in St. Louis on Saturday.

The Maroons dropped to 6-6 overall and 0-1 in the UAA. The Bears ran their record to 11-1 overall, 1-0 in conference.

Washington-St. Louis grabbed the early momentum by scoring the first 11 points before UChicago senior guard Maggie Ely hit a three-pointer at the 14:22 mark. The Bears built their lead up to 15 points, but a 9-2 run by the Maroons made it 24-16 after junior guard Claire Devaney scored two-straight layups on the fast break. Another three by Ely pulled the visitors within seven points at 32-25.

The hosts went into the break with a 40-29 lead. UChicago shot 37.5 percent from the field while Washington-St. Louis shot 46.9 percent. The Bears held sway on the boards 24-17 and the two teams combined for 21 turnovers. Ely led the Maroons with 10 points and six rebounds while junior guard Morgan Donovan tallied six points.

In the second half, the hosts scored 16 points in the opening five minutes to push their lead to 21. A layup and a three-pointer by Donovan helped start a 12-2 run by UChicago, which was capped by a three from Devaney to make the score 62-51. However, Washington-St. Louis scored the next eight points and did not let the visitors get any closer the rest of the way.

The Bears led the rebounding category 47-30, including a 19-14 edge on the offensive boards. UChicago committed 13 turnovers compared to 16 turnovers by Washington-St. Louis.

UChicago Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal percentage – 42.0 percent (29-69)
Three-point percentage – 25.0 percent (5-20)
Free-throw percentage – 81.8 percent (9-11)
Morgan Donovan (Guard, Jr.) – 17 points
Maggie Ely (Guard, Sr.) – 16 points, 8 rebounds
Claire Devaney (Guard, Jr.) – 12 points, 4 rebounds

Washington-St. Louis Team Stats & Leaders
Field-goal percentage – 46.9 percent (30-64)
Three-point percentage – 31.3 percent (5-16)
Free-throw percentage – 88.0 percent (22-25)
Jordan Thompson – 27 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds
Alyssa Johanson – 17 points, 6 rebounds

NEXT GAME:

• Friday, Jan. 17 – New York University at UChicago, 6 PM