With their seventh consecutive victory, the Maroons improved to 16-3 overall and 7-1 in UAA play. Chicago now shares the top spot in the Association with Washington (Mo.) University, which dropped a 73-57 decision Friday at New York University. The Maroons face NYU in Manhattan on Sunday.
Chicago jumped out to an early 16-4 advantage and took a 43-37 lead into the locker room at the break.
The Maroons built their largest lead of the night, 52-39, on a three-pointer by Matt Corning with 15:16 left in the contest.
A basket by Jesse Meyer gave Chicago its final double-digit edge, 57-47, at the 9:40 mark. Meyer scored 12 points on the night.
Brandeis (13-6, 3-5) then scored the next 10 points to tie the game before taking its first, and only, lead of the contest, 60-59, on Steve DeLuca's three-point basket with 5:09 remaining. DeLuca led all scorers with 19 points.
With the game tied at 62-62, Nate Hainje put the Maroons ahead to stay when he converted a three-point play at the 3:19 mark. Hainje finished with 11 points, marking his 10th consecutive double-digit performance.
Chicago hit seven of nine free throw attempts in the game's final 3:05 to seal the victory.
Making his first career start, Jason Vismantas scored 13 points and grabbed seven rebounds for Chicago.
Five different players hit multiple three-pointers as the Maroons connected on 10 of 27 attempts (37%) from three-point distance. Chicago committed just nine turnovers, while forcing 15 Brandeis miscues.
Joe Coppens added 15 points for the Judges, who lost their third in a row.
CHICAGO 74, BRANDEIS 69 CHICAGO (16-3, 7-1 UAA) Woodhead, Brandon 7-15 0-1 16; Vismantas, Jason 4-7 3-4 13; Meyer, Jesse 4-8 2-2 12; Hainje, Nate 4-12 3-4 11; Corning, Matt 3-4 0-0 8; Pancratz, Jake 2-2 0-0 6; Brannon, Derek 2-4 0-0 4; Adams, Drew 0-2 4-4 4. Totals 26-54 12-15 74. BRANDEIS (13-6, 3-5 UAA) DeLuca, Steve 8-13 0-0 19; Coppens, Joe 5-9 2-2 15; Small, Kenny 3-5 1-1 9; Hollins, Terrell 4-7 1-3 9; Roberson, Andre 3-6 2-2 9; Graves-Fulgham,Kwame 1-5 4-5 6; Olson, Kevin 1-3 0-0 2; Hill, Stephen 0-1 0-0 0; Magee, Rich 0-0 0-0 0; Rexhepi, Florian 0-2 0-0 0. Totals 25-51 10-13 69. Chicago....................... 43 31 - 74 Brandeis...................... 37 32 - 69 3-point goals-Chicago 10-27 (Meyer, Jesse 2-6; Pancratz, Jake 2-2; Corning, Matt 2-2; Vismantas, Jason 2-4; Woodhead, Brandon 2-6; Adams, Drew 0-2; Brannon, Derek 0-1; Hainje, Nate 0-4), Brandeis 9-18 (DeLuca, Steve 3-5; Coppens, Joe 3-5; Small, Kenny 2-4; Roberson, Andre 1-2; Rexhepi, Florian 0-2). Fouled out--Chicago-None, Brandeis-DeLuca, Steve. Rebounds-Chicago 24 (Vismantas, Jason 7), Brandeis 34 (DeLuca, Steve 4; Graves-Fulgham,Kwame 4; Coppens, Joe 4; Hill, Stephen 4). Assists-Chicago 12 (Hainje, Nate 5), Brandeis 17 (Graves-Fulgham,Kwame 4; Roberson, Andre 4). Total fouls-Chicago 13, Brandeis 15.