News Release

ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Washington University's men's basketball team fell at University of Rochester, 66-61, Sunday in Rochester, N.Y. The Bears move to 19-4 overall and 10-3 in University Athletic Association (UAA) play.

The Red and Green took a 13-9 lead with 12:04 left in the first half when sophomore Phil Syvertsen knocked down a three-pointer from the right corner to force a Yellowjackets timeout. After the break, junior Troy Ruths converted his third field goal in the post to give the Bears a six-point edge. WU led 25-16 when sophomore Tyler Nading connected from three-point range, but UR bounced back.

Rochester (17-7, 8-5 UAA) ended the half on a 13-4 run, as sophomore Michael Chmielowiec hit two free throws and a trey to help spark the rally. Senior Tim Brackney hit another triple with 27 seconds left in the first period to tie the contest at 29-29 at halftime. Ruths led the Bears with 10 points and three blocked shots, while junior Jon Onyiriuka paced the Yellowjackets with eight points and five rebounds. UR held a 20-13 advantage on the boards in the half.

Ruths posted up and found freshman Aaron Thompson in the left corner for a trey to open the second half, and Nading added two free throws for a 34-29 edge. Ruths helped WU extend its lead back to seven (40-33) after hitting a pair of foul shots and scoring in transition, forcing UR to call for time with 15:03 left.

Rochester rallied back to take the lead again, though, at 50-48 when Brackney converted a three-pointer after UR corralled an offensive rebound. Junior Dan Milbrand also came up big the Yellowjackets' rally, scoring six points through the middle portion of the second half.

Ruths answered for the Red and Green, scoring with a hook shot in the lane. He was fouled on the play and converted the free throw for the three-point play with 4:20 remaining on the clock.

Junior Uche Ndubizu hit the back end of a double-bonus at the free-throw line, and Chmielowiec broke free for a triple at the right wing to give UR a four-point lead (57-53) with 2:21 to play. Rochester hit nine free throws in the final minute to seal the win.

Ruths scored a game-high 19 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Bears, while Nading finished with 12 points and six rebounds. Sophomore Sean Wallis contributed 14 points, four assists and five rebounds. Brackney paced UR with 14 points, and junior Jeff Juron added 12 points and 11 rebounds.

Washington U. returns to action at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, against the University of Chicago at the WU Field House.