Washington University in St. Louis’ women’s basketball team defeated McKendree College, 69-57, Saturday night at the WU Field House. Senior guard Sarah Schell highlighted the night for the Bears. Schell finished with 11 points and seven assists; those seven assists brought her four-year total to a WUSTL career record of 344 (breaking Sarah Goldman’s record of 340 that she set in 1994).
WU (5-3) jumped out to a 16-6 lead five minutes into the game, as sophomore guard Jill Brandt scored eight of the Bears’ first 16 points. Brandt, who made her first career start, led Washington U. in scoring in the first half; she shot 3-of-4 from the field and added three rebounds and two assists.
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Sophomore forward Jaimie McFarlin contributed seven points and eight rebounds in the opening frame, helping the Red and Green to a 36-22 halftime lead. Senior forward Emily Hart and senior guard Katie Hasheider led McKendree with 10 points apiece in the half.
McKendree (7-4) cut the Bears’ lead to 42-35 early in the second half, but Washington U. rallied with three straight baskets. Senior Jenny Southworth drove the baseline for two, and sophomore guard Shanna-Lei Dacanay scored on two consecutive transition runners in the lane to put WU up 48-35 and force a McKendree timeout.
The Bearcats drew within six points (48-42) with 10 minutes left in regulation, but they would get no closer. Hasheider finished with a game-high 20 points and five assists, while Hart added 19 points and eight rebounds.
Schell dished out her record-setting assist with a little more than eight minutes to play, finding freshman forward Zoë Unruh in the right corner for a three-pointer. Unruh led WUSTL in scoring with 14 points off the bench.
McFarlin finished with 13 points and 16 rebounds for her third double-double of the season, while senior forward Rebecca Parker corralled 13 boards.
The Red and Green held a 42-26 rebounding edge, and they shot .769 (10-of-13) from the free throw line.
WUSTL returns to action at 6 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 13, against Maryville University at the WU Field House.