Rock Island, Ill., Dec. 8 2012 – The No. 5-ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball shot a season-high 78.8 percent from the free-throw line to hold off a strong second-half effort by Augustana College as the Bears earned a 74-61 win over the Vikings Saturday at Carver Gymnasium.
The Bears made 26-of-33 free-throw opportunities in the game, including 19-of-24 in the second half. Washington U. also outrebounded the Vikings 46-32, and pulled down 25 offensive rebounds, outscoring Augustana 24-6 in second-chance points.
After holding a 33-18 lead at halftime. Washington U. stretched its lead to 19 points (44-25) on a fast-break layup by sophomore forward Melissa Gilkey with 15:55 left in the game. The Vikings slowly chipped away at Washington U.'s lead, cutting it to seven points (57-50) on a three-pointer with 7:57 remaining.
Sophomore guard Alyssa Johanson made a pair of free throws and a basket by regain the double-digit lead (61-50) for the Bears with 5:36 on the clock. The Vikings cut the lead to nine with a basket on their next possession, but Washington U. made 13-of-14 free-throw opportunities in the final 3:18 of the game to seal the win.
Augustana grabbed a 9-8 lead on a second-chance jumper with 9:55 left in the first half, but the Bears answered with an 11-0 run over the next four minutes, including five points by Gilkey and four by junior forward Jordan Rettig, to take a 19-9 lead and force a Viking timeout. Augustana pulled to within five (21-16) on a three-pointer with 4:21 left in the half, but the Bears ended the half with a 12-2 run, including six straight points by senior forward Kristin Anda, to take a 33-18 lead into halftime.
Augustana shot 44.2 percent from the field in the game, including 55.6 percent in the second half. Washington U. finished with 36.4 percent shooting from the field. The Vikings also went 7-of-15 (46.7 percent) from three-point range, while the Bears were held without a three-pointer (0-of-9). Washington U. equaled its season-low with nine turnovers, while forcing 19 by the Vikings, including 12 steals for the Bears.
Gilkey and sophomore guard Maddy Scheppers each recorded double-doubles to lead five Bears in double figures. Gilkey had 15 points and a season-high 13 rebounds, while Scheppers finished with 12 points, 11 rebounds and four steals. Johanson scored 12 of her 14 points in the second half for the Bears, including 4-of-4 from the free-throw line. Rettig added 11 points and seven rebounds, while Anda chipped in a season-high 11 points and four offensive rebounds off the bench for Washington U. Freshman guard Jordan Thompson recorded a team-high six assists in the win.
Washington University (6-1) hosts a pair of home games next week, beginning with a contest against Fontbonne University Wednesday, Dec. 12. Tip-off is scheduled for 7 p.m. at the WU Field House.
Bear Notebook: Washington U. improved to 7-2 all-time against Augustana … Saturday's game marked the first time this season the Bears have finished with a lower field-goal percentage then their opponent … The last time Washington U. was held without a three-pointer in a game was Jan. 17, 2010, against New York University … Gilkey and Scheppers have both scored in double figures in each of the Bears' seven games this season.