After starting the season with a narrow victory, the No. 7 Washington University women’s basketball team came away undefeated at the Forester Tip-Off Tournament, hosted by Lake Forest College in Lake Forest, Ill.

In the first round on Friday night, Bears were pitted against Northland College. The Red and Green shared the ball well throughout the game, as 12 different players found the basket en route to a 65-45 win.

“With an early lead in the first half, a lot of the players rotated in. In fact, a lot of freshmen got playing time,” guard and captain Dani Hoover, a senior, said. “This team is really unselfish, and we always try to make the extra pass to make an open shot.”

Senior forward Brianne Monahan led the Bears with 10 points and five rebounds, while freshman forward Melissa Gilkey continued her impressive start to her Wash. U. career with seven points and four rebounds.

The Bears dominated the game from beginning to end, as they were able to build an 18-point lead within the first 12 minutes of the game. Wash. U. ended the first half with a lead of 38-19.

Not only was the team’s offense in dominant form, but the defense also held Northland to only four field goals in the first half. The Bears advanced to the tournament finals against Lake Forest on Saturday.

“Every game we try to focus on defense. Defense is hugely emphasized in practice; we were not doing anything special, we were just trying our best to execute lockdown defense,” guard and captain Claire Schaeperkoetter, a senior, said.

The atmosphere of the final was electric, and the Bears had to overcome the home fans’ cheers for Lake Forest.

“It was an exciting game. There were quite a few fans that supported Lake Forest,” Hoover said. “We fed off the atmosphere. It was a fun way to end a great weekend.”

The Bears defeated the Foresters by a score of 66-51. The game was relatively close in the first half, as the Red and Green entered the break with only a six-point lead.

It was back-and-forth scoring for a large period of the game. However, the Bears were eventually able to pull away thanks to the superb play of Schaeperkoetter, who came off of the bench and led the Bears with 18 points.

“Everyone on this team is looking to contribute any way they can. Honestly, what matters most to us is winning,” Schaeperkoetter said.

Next up for the team is the home opener next week on Nov. 26 at 3 p.m. against Hendrix College in the Tip-Off Classic. Head coach Nancy Fahey will attempt a historic 600th win as coach of the Bears.

“We actually haven’t really talked about going for Coach Fahey’s 600th win. She has had a lot of success, and it is great to be part of this milestone,” Hoover said. “This just shows how great of a coach she is and how she has coached great teams.”