CHICAGO – A four-point possession by Brandeis University in the final seconds of the game stunned the University of Chicago men's basketball team by a 66-65 score on Sunday.

The Maroons evened their season record at 7-7 while dropping to 0-3 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The Judges improved to 10-4 overall (2-1 UAA).

Both teams played tough defense throughout the contest, keeping each other under 40 percent shooting from the field. Midway through the first half, the score was tied at 11-11. That's when UChicago went on a 6-0 run to take its largest lead of the day at 17-11. Brandeis wound up hitting a three-pointer at the buzzer to draw within 30-28 at halftime.

The visitors started strong in the second half, embarking on an 11-2 streak to go up 39-32. But UChicago countered with a big 15-2 run of its own to launch back into the lead at 47-41. Arrish Bhandal scored seven points in that time frame, including a three from the top of the arc.

A Brandeis trey would eventually tie the score at 59-59 with 2:30 remaining in the game. Bryce Hopkins and Bhandal both scored to put the hosts back ahead, and two free throws by Eamonn Kenah gave UChicago a 65-62 cushion with 18 seconds left.

But the Judges proved hard to put away. Guard Ethan Edwards drew a foul and hit 1 of 2 free throws. The miss rolled all the way around the rim and the offensive board was snatched by a Brandeis guard. The ball was then kicked out to Edwards, who nailed the go-ahead three-pointer.

UChicago had one last possession to go for the game-winner, but the final inbounds pass was intercepted and the win was clinched by Brandeis.

Bhandal and Thomas Kurowski tallied 15 points apiece for UChicago while combining for 16 rebounds. Kenah scored 13 points off the bench and Hopkins added 10 points and eight rebounds.

UChicago shot 38.0 percent from the field, 26.1 percent from three-point range (6-23) and 84.0 percent from the free throw stripe (21-25). Brandeis made 35.6 percent of its field goals, 42.1 percent of its three-pointers (8-19) and 76.2 percent of its free throws.

The Maroons held sway on the boards 43-35 while committing four more turnovers (12-8).

NEXT GAME:

• Friday, Jan. 20 @ 7:30 PM (ET) – UChicago at Carnegie Mellon University