CHICAGO – The University of Chicago women's basketball team saw its four-game win streak snapped by University of Rochester in a 74-68 home loss on Friday night.

The Maroons dropped to 12-8 on the season and 5-5 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Yellowjackets improved to 14-7 overall (6-4 UAA).

The visitors from Rochester were efficient from the onset, sinking four of their opening five field goals to go up 9-0. The lead eventually ballooned to 16-4 midway through the first quarter.

Despite the sizable deficit, UChicago shook it off and went on the comeback trail. Over the next seven-plus minutes of game time, the hosts embarked on a monstrous 17-2 run. Senior Klaire Steffens provided 11 points by herself in that time, including a pair of three-pointers.

With Steffens boasting the hot hand, UChicago took the lead at 21-18. The senior forward continued to be a menace to Rochester both inside and outside – by halftime, she upped her point total to 22. Steffens made 6 of 7 field goals and all three attempts from beyond the arc to net 17 points in the second quarter alone.

A layup and foul gave junior Grace Hynes a traditional three-point play at 28-25. Junior Peyton Van Soest sank a trey to put UChicago ahead 36-33 in the final seconds of the first half, but Rochester was able to tie it at the buzzer with a jumper in the paint while drawing a foul.

The Yellowjackets countered effectively in the third quarter and found their offensive rhythm again. The visitors scored their first four shots and hit two free throws to draw ahead 46-41 through three minutes.

Steffens splashed yet another three to tie the game back up at 47-47. But Rochester kept humming along and led 57-52 heading into the fourth.

It was Hynes' turn to take over in the fourth quarter, tallying 13 points. She was most effective driving into the paint and using her footwork to score around the basket or draw fouls. Hynes went 9-for-11 at the charity stripe over the course of the game.

A Hynes free throw knotted the game once more at 63-63 midway through the period. But Rochester came through with big stops defensively down the stretch to build its lead back up to 71-65. UChicago got to within three points in the final minute but couldn't finish the rally.

Steffens poured in a career-high 35 points to go with seven rebounds and four steals. She hit 5 of 9 from three-point range. Hynes also produced a career-best 23 points while adding five assists, four rebounds and two steals. Junior Mallory Brodnik grabbed a team-high eight rebounds.

The Maroons posted a 38.6 shooting percentage from the field, a 35.3 three-point percentage (6-17) and a 69.2 free-throw percentage (18-26). The Yellowjackets shot 48.3 percent on field goals, 40.0 percent on three-pointers (6-15) and 60.0 percent on free throws (12-20).

Rochester won the rebounding battle 39-31 and points in the paint 38-28. The visitors committed 19 turnovers while UChicago had 14 turnovers.

NEXT GAME:

• Sunday, Feb. 13 @ 2:00 PM – Emory University at UChicago