WALTHAM, Mass. – The University of Chicago women's basketball team came through with another strong fourth quarter to close out Brandeis University 59-49 on Friday night.

The Maroons improved to 14-8 on the season and 7-5 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Judges dropped to 7-14 overall and 2-10 in the UAA.

Both teams shot over 50 percent from the field in the opening quarter, but it was Brandeis who leapt ahead thanks to a trio of three-pointers. An 8-2 run gave the hosts a 15-8 advantage, and they led 20-12 after 10 minutes of play.

The Judges dried up offensively in the second quarter, only making 1 of 11 field goals. Meanwhile, junior Grace Hynes put up seven by herself as UChicago scored the first 13 points of the period. Brandeis finally converted its first points of the quarter with five seconds left before halftime. The Maroons harassed the Judges into committing eight turnovers and took a 25-22 lead into the break.

Klaire Steffens was an offensive focal point in the second half. The senior forward scored eight points in the third quarter followed by eight more in the fourth. Despite her scoring in the post, Brandeis pulled themselves back even in the third quarter as the Maroons struggled with their shooting (27.3 percent).

UChicago's defense ultimately locked down when it counted. Brandeis only scored one basket in a nearly eight-minute stretch of the fourth quarter. On the other end, the Maroons embarked on a 14-3 run to race ahead 52-43. The visitors sunk their free throws in the final minute to preserve the double-digit win.

Steffens tallied 22 points, five rebounds and three steals. It marked her fifth game of the season with at least 20 points. Hynes collected 15 points and junior Mallory Brodnik submitted eight points.

The Maroons made 41.7 percent of their field goals, 14.3 percent of their three-pointers (2-14) and 85.0 percent of their free throws (17-20). The Judges shot 40.0 percent on field goals, 21.7 percent on threes (5-23) and 40.0 percent on free throws (4-10).

Brandeis controlled the boards 34-24, but also committed eight more turnovers (18-10). As a result, UChicago held a large 20-6 advantage in the points off turnovers category.

NEXT GAME:

• Sunday, Feb. 20 @ 2:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at New York University