CHICAGO -- Matt Johnson scored a game-high 25 points as the University of Chicago men's basketball team rallied from a 12-point first half deficit to defeat Washington (Mo.) University 79-77 in the University Athletic Association opener for both teams Saturday at the Ratner Athletics Center.

Chicago (4-8 overall, 1-0 UAA) fell behind 25-13 midway through the first half before trimming the deficit to 39-35 at the intermission.

The lead changed hands five times during the first five minutes of the second stanza until Chicago went up 50-49 when Matt MacKenzie converted a three-point play with 14:56 left in the contest.

Chase Davis' layup at the 8:58 mark gave the Maroons their largest lead of the day, 61-53.

Washington (6-5, 0-1) evened the score at 68-68 with 4:15 remaining on Tim Cooper's three-point basket, but Michael Sustarsic answered with a three-pointer to give the Maroons the lead for good, 71-68, at the 3:44 mark.

Chicago converted seven of its next eight free throw attempts to increase its lead to 78-74 with :16 showing on the clock. Caleb Knepper's three-point shot brought the Bears to within a point, 78-77, with :06 to play, but Sustarsic hit one of two free throws four seconds later to seal the victory.

MacKenzie finished with 15 points for the Maroons, while Tommy Sotos and Sustarsic added 11 and 10 points, respectively. Tom Williams pulled down 10 rebounds.

Spencer Gay paced Washington with 21 points and 11 boards. Cooney and Ben Hoener each contributed 13 points.

Both teams shot better from three-point range than they did overall. Washington connected on 11 of 18 long-range tries, good for a 61% clip, while shooting 49% overall. Chicago shot 44% from behind the arc (12 for 27), 43% overall.