TERRE HAUTE, Ind. – A 10-point first quarter lead pushed the Washington University in St. Louis women’s basketball team past DePauw University, 72-59, in the first round of the Midwest Challenge, Saturday, November 25. WashU never trailed in the contest and led wire-to-wire. With the win, WashU’s record upped to 2-2, while DePauw’s record dipped to 1-3. 

WashU shot 50% from the field (28-56) and sunk six three’s (6 for 17). The Bears also drilled 10 free throws (10 for 17), for a 58.8% clip. 

The Bears utilized its size and speed to secure the 42-22 points in the paint advantage. 

After two Tiger free throws, Harris converted a layup with 4:29 remaining to give the Bears the 13-6 lead. Rich then drilled a three to put WashU ahead by 10, 18-8, with 2:35 left in the opening period as DePauw utilized a timeout. The Bears were up by a dozen, but a Tiger layup with nine seconds remaining put the score at 23-13 in favor of WashU. 

In the second quarter, the Bears remained hot from beyond the arc as Hughes nailed a three juts 10 seconds into the frame to give WashU the commanding, 13-point, 26-13 lead. After going scoreless for roughly two and a half minutes, Harris secured a layup to cut the drought and put WashU up 11, 30-19 with 5:36 left. 

Harris then earned WashU’s next four points, on two free throws and a jumper, to keep WashU’s lead at 10, 34-24. Harris drew a shooting foul with three seconds remaining in the half and connected on one attempt to give the Bears the 11-point, 37-26, halftime advantage.  

The Bears did not let the Tigers get within two as WashU closed the third quarter on a 7-0 run to extend its lead back to 10, 54-44. McBeth recorded a layup with six seconds left to push the advantage to double-digits. 

Out of the break, Goodwin nailed a long ball to give WashU the comfortable, 57-44, cushion with 9:30 left in the contest. 

DePauw would get as close as seven in the final frame, 63-56, but WashU converted several shots down the stretch to preserve the 72-59 victory over the Tigers.