Brandeis men fall to WashU, 70-36

Wouter van der Eng '13 (courtesy Sportspix)
Wouter van der Eng '13 (courtesy Sportspix)

WALTHAM, Mass. – The 21st-ranked Brandeis University men's basketball team suffered its third defeat in four games today as the Judges fell to Washington (Mo.) University, 70-36, in University Athletic Association action. The Judges fall to 12-3 (2-3 UAA), while the Bears even their overall record at 8-8 (2-3 UAA).

Brandeis, which never led in the game, had its worst offensive and defensive performance of the season all in the same game. The Judges gave up nearly 13 points more than they had been averaging, while scoring 30 points fewer than their average. Rookie center Youri Dascy (Fall River, Mass./St. Andrews (R.I.) School) led Brandeis in scoring with eight points on 4-of-4 shooting, but the rest of the squad was just 10-for-54, as the Judges finished at a season-low 24.1 percent from the floor. Sophomore center Wouter van der Eng (Alphen aun der Rijn, Netherlands/Kimball Union (N.H.) Acad.) topped Brandeis with a career-high five rebounds, while senior forward Christian Yemga (Yaounde, Camerooon/Proctor (N.H.) Acad.) had two assists.

Washington University got 23 points in 33 minutes from senior forward Spencer Gay (Dacula, Ga./Mill Creek). He hit 10-of-15 from the floor and all three of his free throws. Gay outscored Brandeis in the second half, scoring 15 points to the Judges' 14. Junior Dylan Richter (Lincolnshire, Ill./Adlai Stevenson) had a fine all-around performance with nine points – all coming in the first half - and game-highs with eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals. The Bears connected on 52.7 percent from the floor for the game (29-55), including 63.6 percent in the second half (14-22).

After Brandeis tied the game, 12-12, on a Ben Bartoldus (Hillsborough, N.H./Proctor Acad.) 3-pointer just over seven minutes into the game, Washington responded with a 17-4 run over the next seven minutes to take control. All 17 Bear points came from Richter, forward Robert Burnett (West Des Poines, Iowa/Valley) and rookie guard Tim Cooney (St. Louis, Mo./St. Louis University). A pair of late Gay free throws made the edge, 33-22, WashU at the break.

Brandeis, which has twice overcome 18-point deficits this season, was still within reach after an Anthony Trapasso (Sterling, Mass./St. Johns Prep) jumper with 9:17 left made it 50-35, but the Judges hit just one free throw the rest of the way as the visitors pulled away for the win.

Brandeis returns to UAA action next weekend when they play host to Emory on Friday night at 8 p.m. and Rochester at 12 noon on Sunday. Washington hosts Carnegie Mellon and Case Western Reserve at the same times.

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