After junior Neal Griffin opened the game with a three-pointer from the right wing, Brandeis followed with a 15-2 run. Sophomore Florian Rexhepi led the Judges during the spree with seven points, as the Bears connected on just two of their first 10 field goal attempts.
The Bears rallied to tie the score at 23-23 behind the strong play of freshman Sean Wallis and senior Scott Stone. Wallis tallied five points, two assists and three steals in nine first-half minutes, while Stone added eight points, including two three-point field goals during an 18-8 run.
Sophomore Steve DeLuca, though, kept the Judges in front, scoring from all around the court. DeLuca finished the first half with 15 points on 5-of-10 shooting from the field; he also added seven rebounds. Brandeis (8-7, 1-4 UAA) outrebounded Washington U. 26-8 in the first half and held a 36-27 halftime lead when sophomore Rocco Topi scored five unanswered points to end the frame. The Red and Green shot 9-of-28 in the period (.321).
DeLuca, who finished with a game-high 25 points, knocked down a pull-up jumper before the Bears reeled off 13 unanswered points to regain the lead at 40-38. WU scored 10 points in the paint during the run, highlighted by sophomore Troy Ruths. Ruths, who hit 5-of-7 from the field, scored three consecutive trips down the floor in the post, and freshman Tyler Nading added five points to close out the run.
Nading scored all 12 of his points in the second half, while Ruths netted all 11 of his points in the second frame as well. Stone finished with 12 points, five assists and four steals. Moreover, the Bears held a 32-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
Washington University returns to action Friday, Jan. 27 versus University of Rochester. Tip off is set for 8 p.m. at the WU Field House.