Brandeis Women's basketball cannot overcome cold shooting, lose to #12 Washington University 57-33

Hannah Cain '15 (photo by Sportspix/Mike Tureski)
Hannah Cain '15 (photo by Sportspix/Mike Tureski)

WALTHAM, Mass.- Back at Red Auerbach Arena for the first time in five games, the Brandeis Women's basketball struggled in University Athletic Association (UAA) action against 12th-ranked Washington University in St. Louis. A defensive struggle saw the Judges score just 18 first half points. Despite a strong effort from rookie guard Hannah Cain (Gloucester, Mass./ Gloucester), who was tied for the team lead in points and led Brandeis in assists and steals, the Judges fell 57-33 due to another cold shooting night (26.5% from the field). The loss drops Brandeis to 8-15 (1-11 UAA) as the Bears improve to 19-4 (9-3 UAA).

A sloppy first half featured seven early turnovers to go with 1-10 shooting from Brandeis and an early big lead by Wash U highlighted by 5-7 shooting from behind the arc. The Bears took a 25-5 lead with 8:26 remaining in the half on a 3-pointer by senior guard Claire Schaeperkoetter (Columbia, Mo./ Rock Bridge). Still, the Judges fought right back embarking on a 13-0 run over the next 5:24, capped off by a trifecta from senior guard Kelly Ethier (Springfield, Mass./ Minnechaug Regional). Brandeis went cold again over the last three minutes and headed to the locker room in the game, down 29-18.
 
The second half was the same story as the initial 12 minutes of the game. Wash U took control while building a lead as big as 26 at 50-24 with 3:39 to play on a 3-pointer by junior guard Nishi Tavernier (Bronx, N.Y./ Bronx High School of Science). The Judges would match the Bears the rest of the way for the 57-33 final tally.
 
Brandeis featured three players tied for the lead in scoring. Cain, Ethier, and sophomore forward Nicolina Vitale (Clinton Township, Mich./ Chippewa Valley) all had six points. Cain also led the squad with four assists and a career-high five steals. Junior forward Erika Higginbottom (Millbury, Mass./ Worcester Acad.) and sophomore forward Kasey Dean (Southbury, Conn./ Pomperaug) tied for the team lead with six rebounds as Dean pulled down five caroms on the offensive glass to Higginbottom's four. Vitale also led the Judges with three blocks.
 

Wash U was led by senior guard Dani Hoover (Junction City, Kan./ Junction City) who finished with 12 points as the only player to score in double figures for the game. Senior forward Brianne Monahan (Beloit, Wis./ Beloit Memorial) led the Bears with seven rebounds and tied for the team lead with a block. Senior guard Bethany Morrison (Little Rock, Ark./ Pulaski Acad.) led the squad with three assists while three Bears' players tied for the team lead with two steals each.

Brandeis continues down the homestretch of UAA play with a home matchup against the second-ranked University of Chicago Maroons, who remained undefeated with a 57-42 victory at NYU tonight, on Sunday, February 19th with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off. The Bears travel to New York to face NYU in UAA action on the same day with a 2:00 p.m. tip-off.