Sophomore Jaimie McFarlin displayed her outside touch with three 18-foot jumpers to help the Bears jump out to an early 11-0 lead. McFarlin, who led all scorers with 14 first-half points, added a lay-up and classmate Jill Brandt hit a pull-up baseline jumper and sank a free throw for the 11-point lead three minutes into the game.
Senior Rebecca Parker then gave Washington U. a 20-point advantage (29-9) with 5:01 left in the half. She scored on a spin move in the post and followed with a three-pointer the next trip down the court, and Rochester whistled for a third timeout.
The Yellowjackets closed the half on a 13-6 run, though, to draw within 35-22 at halftime. Senior Danielle Muller and sophomore Julie Marriott scored four points apiece in the run. Muller paced UR with six points in the half. Parker scored nine points and grabbed six rebounds, and senior Sarah Schell dished out five assists for WU.
WU pushed its lead back to 18 points nine minutes into the second frame. McFarlin and Parker continued their strong post play, while freshman Laura Lane-Steele chipped in with a pair of rebounds and a three-pointer at the left wing for a 49-31 lead. Lane-Steele finished with five points and six rebounds.
McFarlin finished with a career-high 20 points and three blocked shots, and Parker added 20 points and 11 rebounds. Schell added six points and seven assists for the Bears. Marriott led the Yellowjackets with 16 points and nine boards.
Washington U. returns to action at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, against the University of Chicago at the WU Field House.