Chicago, Ill., January 8, 2011 — The Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team suffered a 79-77 loss at the University of Chicago in the University Athletic Association (UAA) opener for both teams on Saturday afternoon at the Ratner Athletics Center in Chicago, Ill.

Senior Spencer Gay recorded his second double-double of the season with 21 points and 11 rebounds, while sophomore Ben Hoener (13 points) and freshman Tim Cooney (13 points) also scored in doubles figures. The Bears shot 49.1 percent (28-57) in the loss, and made a season-high 11-of-18 (61.1 percent) from three-point range.

Chicago's Matt Johnson led all scorers with a game-high 25 points, as he has tallied double figures for the 11th-straight game. Matt MacKenzie (15 points), Tommy Sotos (11 points) and Michael Sustarcic (10 points) also scored in double figures for the Maroons, which connected on 12 three-pointers.

Trailing 78-74 with nine seconds remaining, Hoener was fouled as he went to the bucket. He missed both free-throws, but junior Dylan Richter tied up the Maroons and the ball went back to Washington U. Senior Caleb Knepper quickly drilled a three-pointer on the ensuing possession to cut the advantage to 78-77 with 3.4 seconds left. Sustarcic made 1-of-2 free-throws to make it 79-77, but the Bears did not get a shot off after a timeout.

Tied at 9-9, an 11-2 run by the Bears resulted in a 20-11 lead on a lay-up by freshman Alan Aboona with 9:52 remaining. The Bears took their largest lead of the game at 25-13 with 8:25 left following a lay-up by sophomore Rob Burnett and a three-pointer by Knepper.

Gay was the story in the first half for the Bears as he had 15 points on 6-of-12 shooting, as Washington U. took a 39-35 lead to the locker room. The Bears shot 44.1 percent (15-34) in the first half, and connected on 6-of-10 three-point shots. Washington University took advantage of seven offensive rebounds for 10 second-chance points.

Chicago (4-8, 1-0 UAA) hit seven three's in the first half, including six in the final 7:28. Johnson had 15 points on three three-pointers in the opening half to lead the Maroons.

The Maroons regained the lead at 50-49 with 14:46 following a free-throw from McKenzie. A three-pointer from Aboona at the top of the key knotted the score at 61-61 with 7:11 remaining, but Chicago responded with a three-pointer by Chase Davis. Cooney nailed a triple from the top of the key to once again tie the score at 68-68 with 4:15 left, but a three-pointer by Sustarsic from the wing on the ensuing trip gave the Maroons the lead for good.

Washington University (6-5, 0-1 UAA) plays its final non-conference game of the season on Wednesday, Jan. 12, at Webster University. Game time is set for 8 p.m. at Grant Gymnasium.

Bear Notebook: Washington U.'s four-game winning streak against the Maroons was snapped with Saturday's loss … Washington U. was picked first in the UAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, while Chicago was chosen sixth … The Bears have held 10 of their 11 opponents to less than 45 percent shooting.