CHICAGO – University of Chicago women's basketball returned to the hardcourt for the first time since their perfect start to the 2023-24 season got snapped in a loss to No. 6 UW-Whitewater back on December 2^nd. In town was No. 20 Illinois Wesleyan in the Maroons second straight top 25 matchup. UChicago kept things close but a tough third quarter and poor shooting from long distance sent them to their first loss at home this year.

FINAL SCORE
No. 20 Illinois Wesleyan – 73
No. 11 UChicago – 63

HOW IT HAPPENED

• No. 11 University of Chicago (7-2) and No. 20 Illinois Wesleyan (10-2) got off to a blazing start, scoring a combined total of 39 points in the first quarter. The run and gun offense that both teams were implementing carried over into the second frame with the high scoring first half seeing five ties and seven different lead changes. However, it was the Titans that held the 37-34 advantage after 20 minutes.
• Unfortunately, there wouldn't be any more lead changes as the third quarter proved to be the Maroons ultimate undoing. UChicago got into foul trouble early and sent IWU to the line 11 times with the Titans converting on eight of those attempts. A 9-3 run to end the stanza put Chicago down by ten with one quarter left to go.
• The IWU lead grew to as large as 15 in the fourth as nothing would fall for the Maroons from behind the three-point line. UChicago went 4-for-23 from deep in the contest as they just couldn't climb back into it in the second half in a ten point loss to the Titans.

CHICAGO COMMENTS

• "Illinois Wesleyan challenged us tonight, and I think our team has been continually learning on the fly. I'm excited to move forward and apply the lessons we have learned to future contests." – Senior guard Marissa Powe
• "Today was such a high level and fast-paced game. Our team competed hard and is finding their way through adversity in these big games. We're excited to see our team continue to work through it and keep growing. A lot of great things are ahead for this team." – Head coach Maria Williamson

UCHICAGO STAT TRACKER
Points – Marissa Powe (16)
Rebounds – Kate Gross (21)
Assists – Marissa Powe & Ellie Gross (3)
Steals – Marissa Powe (3)
Blocks – Three with one

WHO'S ON DECK
Next up for the Maroons will be two games at the D3 Music City Classic in Nashville, Tenn. They'll begin the invite with a battle against No. 23 Johns Hopkins on Friday, December 29^th at 2:00 pm eastern.

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.