CHICAGO – No. 12 University of Chicago women's basketball closed out a busy month of November at home with a battle against fellow Windy City school North Park University. The Maroons fended off a first quarter threat before sailing by the Vikings in the final three frames for 33-point win on Wednesday night inside the Ratner Athletic Center.

FINAL SCORE
North Park – 57
No. 12 UChicago – 90

HOW IT HAPPENED

• The first quarter was anything but a cakewalk for No. 12 University of Chicago (7-0) and certainly not one you would be able to see coming from looking at the final score three quarters later. North Park (2-4) gave the Maroons a run for their money by shooting over 53 percent and draining five balls from deep as the Vikings only trailed the home team by one heading into the next frame.
• UChicago said enough was enough however and outscored NPU 22-8 in the second. The Maroons limited the visitors to just two field goals, and while they only made five in the quarter themselves, they benefited greatly from trips to the free throw line. Chicago made 12 of their 13 chances at the charity stripe and took a 15-point advantage into the break.
• 14 would be the magic number in the final two stanzas as the Maroons kept the defensive pressure on. North Park went 9-for-30 in the last 20 minutes of play and scored 14 in both the third and fourth quarters, while UChicago kept up a steady offensive pace at their end of the court, including a third quarter where they made 11 of their 17 shots.
• The Maroons dominated the paint by outscoring the Vikings 42-14 under the basket and didn't let North Park do anything in transition with fast break points being in UChicago's favor 22-0 as the Maroons win their seventh in a row to start the season with another double-digit margin of victory.

CHICAGO COMMENTS

• "I think we came out aggressive as a team and team defended well which resulted in good offense. We controlled the pace of the game and the effort was there from start to finish. Overall we worked hard and lifted each other up for a great team win!" - Freshman Kasi Samuda 
• "After a tough first quarter where North Park came out ready, we responded well by bringing our pace and toughness to the game. I'm so proud of the way our team celebrates and rallies around each other. We keep getting better and it's fun to see." - Head coach Maria Williamson

UCHICAGO STAT TRACKER
Points – Kate Gross (17)
Rebounds – Lindsey Carter (5)
Assists – Ellie Gross (7)
Steals – Marissa Powe (2)
Blocks – Alexis Clark (2)

WHO'S ON DECK
The Maroons will see their first ranked team of the season on Saturday when they travel to take on No. 6 UW-Whitewater. Game time from Whitewater, Wis. is set for 3:00 pm.

For up-to-the-minute University of Chicago Maroons news, visit www.athletics.uchicago.edu. You can also follow us on Twitter @uchicagoath and @uchicagoathletics on Instagram.