Women’s Basketball Lose 86-74 at #12 Washington

(ST. LOUIS, Mo.) – The Carnegie Mellon University women's basketball team traveled to St. Louis, Mo. to play #12 Washington University Sunday, February 12.  The Tartans fall 86-74 to the Bears in University Athletic Association play.  The Tartans are now 8-14, 2-9 with Washington improving to 18-4, 8-3.

The Tartans fell behind 7-4 three minutes into the game, but then used a 9-2 run over the next three minutes to claim a 13-9 lead following a three-pointer by freshman Chandler Caufield (Pittsburgh, Pa./North Allegheny).

Senior Jennifer Larsen (Exeter, N.H./Exeter) gave Carnegie Mellon its largest lead of the half, 21-15, on a put back layup with 11:19 showing on the clock. Washington then scored seven straight points taking a one-point advantage, 22-21.

Washington held a 33-27 lead, its largest of the half, before the Cardinal and Gray closed out the half scoring six of the last nine points to narrow the cap to 36-33.  The Tartans shot 59% from the floor while Washington shot 54% after twenty minutes of action.

The Tartans started the second half missing their first five baskets as the Bears scored 12 straight making the score 48-33 four minutes in.  Washington continued to control the game pushing its run to 24-5 giving them a 60-38 lead with 13:08 left to play.

Carnegie Mellon did not go down without a fight, but the Bears were able to hold on for an86-74 victory.  The Tartans finished the game shooting 52% from the floor and the Bears finished shooting 49%.

Five players scored in double figures for the Tartans with Larsen and Caufield leading the way with 15 points each.  It marked a career-high for Caulfield as she also grabbed a career-high seven rebounds.  Junior Emily Peel (Long Valley, N.J./West Morris Central) scored 14 points while freshman Gabrielle West (Cincinnati, Ohio/Mount Notre Dame) and sophomore Jacquie Shaw (Portland, Ore./Grant) tallied 13 and 10, respectively.

Washington also had five players score in double figures with Melissa Gilkey leading the charge with a game-high 20 points.

The Tartans will return home to face Emory University at 6:00 p.m. in Skibo Gymnasium on Friday, February 17.