Sports | Women's Basketball
Women’s basketball earns dominant victory against Brandeis 74-50, falls to No. 1 NYU 80-46

Graduate student Jessica Brooks drives past a NYU player on Feb. 2. (Rachel Benitez-Borrego | Staff Photographer)
In a weekend full of conference play, the WashU women’s basketball team dominated against Brandeis University, defeating the Judges 74-50 on Jan. 31. However, the Bears lost 80-46 to the reigning national champions, No. 1 New York University on Feb. 2.
During Friday night’s game, the team honored the legacy of Justin Hardy in their annual HardyStrong game. Hardy graduated from WashU in December 2021 and earned national recognition for playing his senior season while undergoing chemotherapy treatment for Stage 4 stomach cancer.
While Hardy tragically passed away in May 2022, after a 13-month-long battle with cancer, WashU has continued to honor his story by partnering with the HardyStrong Foundation to raise awareness of gastric cancer.
Graduate student guard Jessica Brooks, who knew Hardy personally, spoke about the importance of the game to her and the entire team.
“I knew Justin personally, but a lot of our younger teammates didn’t get the chance to know him,” she said. “We got to listen to his story, learn about him, and share that with the younger girls, and they really bought in and played for something bigger than themselves. I think that’s honestly what pushed us to win that game.”
During Friday’s game, the Bears took a quick lead, going on a 9-0 run. WashU extended their lead throughout the quarter with an impressive 3-pointer from sophomore guard Alyssa Hughes. Brandeis picked up some steam towards the end of the quarter, but the quarter ended with the Bears up 24-10.
Brandeis closed the lead in the second quarter to only six points which ended with the Bears up by a score of 34-28.
The Bears outscored Brandeis in the third quarter 18-13, a fast-paced and exciting period with both teams trading baskets. First-year guard Hope Drake made both of her free throws and Brooks made an impressive tip-in, putting the Bears up by 11 points to end the quarter.
WashU dominated the fourth quarter, never allowing less than a single-digit lead. The Bears were able to score 12 points in the quarter. This included an impressive jump shot and two made free throws from sophomore guard Catherine Goodwin, who was second in points for the Bears with 13 on the night. The Bears ended the game with a 74-50 win over the Judges.
The game included an impressive three Bears scoring double-digit points, as well as three players having double-digit rebounds. Alongside Goodwin, who had 13 points, junior forward Nailah McBeth put up seven points and 10 rebounds. Brooks had her ninth double-double of the year finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds, and two steals.
Sophomore Center Lexy Harris recorded her sixth double-double of the year and was the team’s leading scorer, with 17 points and 14 rebounds.
“[Lexy] is the best post player in the country in my opinion,” head coach Lisa Stone said. “She draws a lot of attention.”
Coming off of Friday’s victory, the Bears were unable to sustain their momentum against NYU. The Bears knew the game would serve as a test as the Violets are the reigning national champions, and are undefeated this season.
NYU got off to an early lead, scoring the first 10 points, and continued to dominate, leaving the Bears down 31-13 at the half. Following the break, both teams came out ready to score.
However, a 14-0 run by the Violets midway through the final quarter would leave WashU down 76-36.
Brooks said that the greatest challenge for the Bears was facing off against NYU’s aggressive press.
“We broke their press really well and played together pretty well, but we just got sped up by their pressure,” she said. “That’s something we know, we can work on, and we can be better at.”
WashU was led by Brooks who put up 15 points and nine rebounds, falling just short of her 10th double-double on the season. Junior forward Nailah McBeth was dominant on both ends of the court, contributing 11 points and eight rebounds.
Stone highlighted McBeth’s performance, noting her growth as an offensive threat to the team.
“She gives us second chance opportunities and I told her not to be afraid to score, so I think we’re seeing that,” Stone said.
Stone believes that the opportunity to play NYU again this season will continue to prepare the Bears for postseason play.
“That’s the kind of team everybody is looking to beat,” she said. “We held them to their lowest half ever this season, but we just couldn’t score. Our team has to stay in the fight.”
WashU will face off against both teams again on the road next weekend, taking on Brandeis at 7:30 p.m. on Feb. 7 and NYU at noon on Feb. 9.