CHICAGO – Shutdown defense and domination on the boards spurred the University of Chicago women's basketball team to a 55-41 home win against Case Western Reserve University on Friday night.

The Maroons (11-7 record) evened their conference record at 4-4 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Spartans fell to 7-12 overall (2-6 UAA).

The 41 points allowed was UChicago's third-lowest total of the season. The Maroons previously limited North Central College to 40 on December 1 and MSOE to 38 on December 14.

CWRU jumped ahead 6-0 at the start of the game as UChicago struggled initially with an energetic Spartan defense. But as the Maroons settled into the game, they were able tighten the vice on the visitors. CWRU led 14-13 after one quarter of play before suffering a six-minute scoring drought. UChicago took advantage and scored 13 points in-a-row to go up 26-14.

The Spartans couldn't get their shots to fall against a determined UChicago defense throughout the whole second quarter. They went 0-for-11 from the field and turned the ball over five times. Meanwhile, the Maroons utilized their superior height and length to gobble up rebounds, doubling up their opponents 14-7 in that category during the quarter. Senior center Klaire Steffens was the catalyst with eight points in the period.

By halftime, UChicago was firmly in control at 28-18. Steffens tallied 12 points on the stat sheet.

Both teams shot below 34 percent from the field in the game thanks to effective, physical defenses. The referees let them play as only six foul calls were made in the second half.

UChicago consistently kept its lead near double digits in the third quarter. Leading 40-29 at the start of the fourth, the Maroons received five points from junior Grace Hynes and a layup by senior Kati Heller to push the advantage to 18 points. The hosts cruised from there to earn the decisive victory.

The final box score saw UChicago possess an impressive 48-33 rebounding advantage, including 17-6 on the offensive boards. The team combined for 38 turnovers, with the Maroons holding a 20-14 edge in points off turnovers.

Steffens concluded with 17 points and 10 rebounds – her seventh double-double of the season. Hynes posted 12 points and five rebounds.

The Maroons made 33.8 percent of their field goals, 22.2 percent of their threes (6-27) and 62.5 percent of their free throws (5-8). The Spartans shot 32.1 percent from the field, 33.3 percent from long range (3-9) and 66.7 percent from the charity stripe (4-6).

NEXT GAME:

• Sunday, Feb. 6 @ 2:00 PM – Carnegie Mellon University at UChicago