Box Score
CHICAGO (SabreAthletics.com) – The Marian University women's basketball dropped a tough non-conference road test to second-ranked University of Chicago, 63-52, inside the Ratner Center this evening, Jan. 9.
A rough shooting night made it more than difficult to mount a comeback for the visiting Sabres as they tried to make up for a 42-23 halftime deficit and a managed just 25.8 percent (17-for-66) shooting for the game. However, the Marian defense held the second-ranked team in the nation to just 3-for-21 in the second half, forced 15 turnovers, and made a 17-4 run to cut the deficit to 11, but it was just too much to overcome on this night.
The Sabres put two in double-figures, led by 11 points from
Elizabeth Zutz and 10 points from
Alexis Becker. Chicago's Taylor Simpson led all scorers with 14 points, while Meghan Herrick and Joann Torres added 12 and 11 points, respectively.
With the win, the Maroons improve to 12-0 on the season, while the Sabres fall to 9-6 with the loss.
Five different players helped Marian embark on the 17-4 run, led by
Dani Huray and Becker, who each tallied five points in the run, and
Anna Smit, who capped it off with a three-pointer. The run lasted until the 2:16 mark in the second half, and by then there was too little time and energy to complete the, still, double-digit deficit.
Maybe it was due to their second bus trip to Chicago in three days, but prior to that run, the shooting legs just weren't there. Marian went just 7-for-31 from downtown in the contest and 11-for-21 at the free throw line.
Meanwhile, the Maroons managed a 36.2 percent (17-for-47) clip from the floor, 38.5 percent (5-for-13) from beyond the arc and 72.7 percent (24-for-33) from the free throw line.
The silver lining may be that the Sabres forced Chicago into 24 turnovers, seven more than their season average, while converting those into 17 points at the offensive end.
Bianca Whittington tallied seven of Marian's 14 steals in the contest.
The Sabres will now have a few days off to rest up for big home date with Benedictine this Saturday afternoon. It will precede the men's contest as part of a doubleheader. Tip-off is slated for 2 p.m.
