Lionel SobehartEditor’s Note: This is the first of three winter break wrap-up stories on winter sports teams at the University. Reports on men’s basketball and men’s and women’s swimming and diving will appear in Friday’s edition of Student Life.
Not every Wash. U. student got to relax over winter break. With the majority of their classmates on break, the Washington University women’s basketball team completed non-conference play and began league action as well.
Playing four games over the vacation, the Lady Bears accumulated an impressive 3-1 record, improving its season record to 10-4.
Following a Dec. 16 victory over nearby rival Fontbonne University, the Lady Bears were granted 17 days off for the holidays before a match-up with cross-town Webster University.
Against Webster, the Bears were able to share the ball, and received contributions from nearly everyone in a 71-29 blowout. After jumping out to an early 18-2 advantage, Head Coach Nancy Fahey was able to give minutes to her lesser-used players. Twelve of 15 Lady Bears registered points on the night in what was one of Wash. U.’s most dominant team performances of the season.
The team was led by senior Rebecca Parker, who netted 11 points and also had five rebounds. Sophomore Jaimie McFarlin also performed exceptionally, adding five points, eight rebounds and three blocks in only 17 minutes of play.
Although the game was never close, it nonetheless provided an important experience for the Bears. “It was a good team win,” Parker said. “I think everyone really had a chance to contribute.”
The Bears fed off of this victory and three days later put together an impressive performance on the road in its league opener at 10th-ranked University of Chicago. The Red and Green fought valiantly in its UAA debut before finally bowing to the then 11-0 Maroons, 54-51.
Poor shooting proved to be the team’s Achilles’ heel, as the Bears shot under 40 percent for the game and went only 2-8 from the free throw line. The Red and Green battled to overcome a seven point first half deficit and found itself trailing by just a point, 52-51, in the final minute but failed to pull out the victory.
“We really need to focus on our offensive execution,” stated Parker, who contributed 10 points and nine rebounds in the loss. McFarlin again helped Parker carry the load, totaling 15 points and seven rebounds. Senior Sarah Schell was the third-leading scorer, adding nine points as the Bears opened 0-1 in the UAA.
The Lady Bears, however, found bright spots despite the loss. “I know the outcome wasn’t ideal but I feel like we really made strides,” Parker commented.
“Our defensive effort was tremendous,” said McFarlin.
The Bears held the undefeated Maroons to a shade under a 35 percent shooting rate from the floor, Chicago’s lowest total of the season.
Despite the setback, which halted the Bears’ seven-game winning streak, Parker hopes for big things for the remainder of conference play and the season. Parker noted that “the UAA is the toughest league in the country,” but said the squad’s goal was to win the conference and make a run in postseason play.
Parker and the rest of the Lady Bears returned to action with a hard-fought 65-62 road victory Friday over UAA foe Case Western Reserve University on the road in Cleveland. Wash. U. had never lost to the Spartans in 26 previous meetings and started off the recent encounter auspiciously, racing to a 19 point lead about midway through the second half. Case Western responded with a strong effort to cut the Wash. U. lead to just one point with two minutes to go, but the Bears refused to give in. Guided by 18 points and 11 boards from Parker and 14 points from sophomore Jill Brandt, Wash. U. proved too much for the Spartans down the stretch.
“The only thing you can expect with any UAA opponent is a really tough game,” Parker said.
The Bears next played conference rival Emory University on the road this past Sunday. In a 69-54 victory, Wash. U. thoroughly outplayed its opponent, holding the lead for the final 32 minutes of the game. Parker again led the squad with 22 points and a career high 17 rebounds, while McFarlin added 13 points and 15 boards.
“We focus on getting better every day, each practice and each game,” McFarlin said.
With 11 conference games still to be played, it appears the Lady Bears are doing just that.