Washington University’s ninth-ranked women’s basketball team started the season in commanding fashion, defeating their first five opponents at home by at least 30 points in each victory. DePauw University stood as the only exception to the 30-point margin as they were able to stay within 11 of the Bears.

In the Tip-off Tournament Nov. 18-19, the Bears came up against Coe College in their first game. While the Bears shot 52 percent from the field for the game, senior Danielle Beehler led all scorers with 16 points to go along with her five rebounds in a 80-44 win. Senior Katie Benson added another 10 points, while freshman Shanna-Lei Dacanay dropped 10 points in her first collegiate game.

The first true test for the Bears came against 22nd-ranked DePauw University, a perennial contender in the NCAA tournament. Led by the dominating performance of Beehler and junior Rebecca Parker, who each posted a double-double, the Bears were able to pull out a 72-61 victory. Parker led all scorers with 17, while senior captain Kelly Manning added 16 and Beehler 14.

“Playing against a seasoned tournament team is always a big game. We’re happy with the way we’re playing together and the team chemistry, but it’s still early,” said head coach Nancy Fahey.

The Bears also played solid defense keeping the Tigers to 30 percent from the field to go along with eight blocks.

In a Tuesday night match-up before Thanksgiving, the Bears easily defeated Webster University 84-54. Parker and Beehler tallied their second straight double-doubles while Parker scored a career-high 21, points to go along with her 13 rebounds. Beehler added 12 points and 10 boards. The backcourt was also active, shooting an incredible 57 percent from behind the arc (4-7).

“They’re playing well together. We’ve had injuries, and they’ve done a good job of staying in the game and not fouling,” said Fahey.

The Bears proved that the holiday would not slow their momentum into the fifth annual McWilliams Classic on Nov. 26-27, easily defeating Middlebury College 90-52. In a balanced offensive attack that featured four players in double digits, Manning led the Bears with 18 points in the first half, while Benson and Parker each added 12 points apiece. Beehler amassed another 17 points and 10 boards for her third straight double-double.

“There is a lot of offensive punch in the lineup. It’s not on one person’s shoulders. We distribute the ball; they’re sharing and seeing each other well,” said Fahey.

The Bears proved their preseason conditioning worthwhile as they outscored Middlebury 20-6 on fast break points while tallying a McWilliams Classic single-game team record 30 assists.

In the McWilliams Classic Championship, the Bears easily defeated Denison University 83-50. Parker led the team with a career-high 23 points while Manning added another 19. Beehler, who is averaging 11 points and 10.5 rebounds per game, collected 10 points and 11 boards for the fourth-straight game.

To prove their prowess, the Bears took care of the ball and turned it over only nine times while dishing out 19 assists in the game.

“We’re playing our style. We play up-tempo, but we can slug it out in the half-court. They absorb their scouts really well,” said Fahey.

Of note are the contributions of freshmen Shanna-Lei Dacanay and Jaimie McFarlin in the early part of the season. Dacanay played solidly at the point guard in the first five games, dishing out 15 assists and scoring at least four points in every game. McFarlin played consistently tough in the post, collecting five rebounds and four points per game.

“It’s tough as a freshman to come off the bench. They’ve done a great job, and they’re very talented. Like our opponents, we don’t care how old they are,” said Fahey.

The Bears go on the road this weekend for the Eleanore Moyer Tournament in Hanover, Ind., where they will face Thomas More College in the first round.

“Going on the road is part of the season. We need to recognize that we’re on other people’s courts but still bring our style to every game,” said Fahey.

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