CHICAGO – The University of Chicago women's basketball team was firing on all cylinders offensively with high-quality execution throughout Sunday afternoon's 80-60 win against visiting Carnegie Mellon University.

The Maroons won their fourth-straight game to improve to 12-7 on the season (5-4 in the University Athletic Association). The Tartans fell to 9-8 overall and 3-5 in UAA contests.

UChicago's effort was characterized by a consistent ability to find good looks and convert them. The home team shot at least 50 percent from the field in three out of the four quarters. The Maroons were particularly adept inside the arc, making 60.5 percent of those attempts (23 of 38).

The two sides battled back and forth trading leads during the first quarter. CMU went ahead 16-12, but the advantage was short-lived as UChicago closed the quarter on a 9-2 run. First-year Bella Alfaro's free-throw line jumper at the buzzer bounced high off the back iron and fell through to give her team a 21-18 edge.

Junior Grace Hynes did the heavy lifting in the first quarter, scoring 11 points in only seven minutes with an array of impressive drives and finishes in the paint.

The game drew tighter at 25-24 in the second quarter. Once again, the Maroons stepped on the gas with a 10-0 streak. Sophomore Ellie Gross bookended the run with a pair of wide-open threes off good ball movement.

The home side continued to follow Hynes' example on the offensive end. UChicago was constantly aggressive towards the hoop, looking to take advantage of every opening lane that appeared. Once the Maroons did reach the bucket, they demonstrated plenty of poise on the finish.

A layup and foul led to a traditional three-point play for junior Peyton Van Soest to make the score 42-33. Once halftime rolled around, UChicago held a 44-36 advantage.

CMU tried to make a move in the third quarter when UChicago's field-goal percentage dipped. The visitors came as close as five points, but the Maroons would not let them chop any further. The eight-point margin was maintained going into the fourth quarter.

The final period was dominated by UChicago as the hosts outscored the Tartans 22-10. A quick 8-0 run to start things off put the Maroons into a comfortable position. The lead never dipped below 13 points the rest of the way.

Hynes and senior Klaire Steffens equaled each other with 18 points and eight rebounds each. Steffens grabbed three steals as well. Gross contributed a well-rounded line of 11 points, three rebounds, three assists and three steals. Van Soest put up eight points of her own.

UChicago converted 50 percent from the field, 30 percent from beyond the arc (6-20) and 88.9 percent from the free throw line (16-18). CMU made 44.4 percent of its shots, 25 percent of its three-pointers (5-20) and 63.6 percent of its free throws (7-11).

The Tartans narrowly led the rebounding column 32-29, but they also committed eight more turnovers (20-12). UChicago turned those miscues into 22 points going the other way.

NEXT GAME:

• Friday, Feb. 11 @ 7:30 PM – University of Rochester at UChicago