KENOSHA, Wis. – Hot shooting from deep spurred the University of Chicago women's basketball team to a 76-52 victory in its season opener at Carthage College on Tuesday night.

The Maroons (1-0 record) were playing their first official game since March 2020. The Firebirds fell to 1-1.

The first quarter started slowly for both teams as they shot a combined 9-for-26 from the field. Early in the second quarter, UChicago found its rhythm with eight-straight points, featuring treys by junior Peyton Van Soest and senior Klaire Steffens. The Maroons closed the half strong with a 10-0 run to go ahead 40-22 at the break. Junior Mallory Brodnik provided eight points by herself during that stretch, which included a layup as time expired.

In the second half, UChicago was light out from distance. The visitors sank 9 of 12 from three-point range (75 percent) to keep the Firebirds at a comfortable distance. Van Soest hit back-to-back-to-back threes in the third quarter, with each coming immediately after a Carthage turnover. The lead never dipped below 20 points in the fourth quarter as the Maroons cruised to the finish. The squad tied the school record for three-pointers made in a game with 15.

Van Soest set new career highs with 18 points and six three-pointers. Junior Grace Hynes produced a game-high 19 points, making four treys and dishing out five assists. Steffens went 4-for-4 from beyond the arc en route to 17 points. She added five rebounds and three steals as well. Brodnik contributed 12 points and five rebounds.

The final box score saw UChicago shoot 55.1 percent from the field and 60 percent from three. Carthage shot 47.6 percent overall and 45.5 percent from deep (5 of 11). The Maroons held sway on the boards (28-21) and in the turnovers category (18-21).

NEXT GAME:

• Saturday, Nov. 13 @ 2:00 PM – Augsburg University at UChicago