WHITEWATER, Wis. – No. 12 University of Chicago hit the road to take on No. 6 UW-Whitewater in their first matchup against a nationally ranked team this season. The Maroons battled early but poor first half shooting was too much to overcome as they lost the battle of the undefeated teams on Saturday afternoon in Wisconsin.

FINAL SCORE
No. 12 UChicago – 63
No. 6 UW-Whitewater – 74

HOW IT HAPPENED

• No. 12 University of Chicago (7-1) got off to a slow start in Saturday's contest, making just seven of their 19 attempts in the quarter, which allowed No. 6 UW-Whitewater (8-0) to take advantage with their hot hand. Up 7-5 after a Sophia North three ball, the Warhawks proceeded to score 19 of the quarter's last 28 points to go up 24-16 after one.
• Another slow offensive frame came and went for the Maroons in the second where their deficit grew to as large as 17 before the halftime intermission rolled along. However, a UChicago attempted comeback was in the cards after the break.  They scored the first six points of the new half to cut the UWW lead down to ten but couldn't find the momentum to get that advantage to single digits in a stanza where they shot a game high 50 percent from the field.
• Unfortunately, their shooting returned to first half levels in the final period of play after another early rally finally got them back within seven with 8:47 left to play. Senior Ellie Gross scored a career high 26 points but Chicago couldn't ground the Warhawks in an 11 point loss.

CHICAGO COMMENTS

• "It was a tough game, and I was proud of how we fought back in the second half after a slow start. Whitewater is a really good team, today wasn't our day but I am excited to bounce back next week." – Senior Ellie Gross
• "The resolve our team showed in the second half tonight to cut it to single digits was huge. It was a tough, loud, and intense environment like a postseason game. We have some great focuses to keep growing with and are excited for the next steps." – Head coach Maria Williamson

UCHICAGO STAT TRACKER
Points – Ellie Gross (26)
Rebounds – Marissa Powe (10)
Assists – Ellie Gross (6)
Steals – Bri Simpson (2)
Blocks – Three with one

WHO'S ON DECK
The Maroons will be back in action two weeks when they take on the Titans of Illinois Wesleyan at home. Game time from the Ratner Athletic Center on Saturday, December 16^th is slated 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.