CHICAGO -- Taylor Simpson scored 18 points and grabbed 14 rebounds to lead the University of Chicago women's basketball team to a 79-54 win over North Central College in the season opener for both teams Monday at the Ratner Athletics Center.

Chicago trailed 19-17 midway through the first half before scoring the game's next 22 points. Behind 14 points from Bryanne Halfhill and 12 from Simpson, the Maroons built a 48-26 advantage at the break.

En route to their eighth consecutive opening night victory, the Maroons led by at least 20 points throughout the second half. Chicago took its largest lead of the game, 61-33, on a Simpson layup with 11:27 to go.

Halfhill finished the game with 18 points to share game-high scoring honors with Simpson. Simpson's 18 points marked her career high; the double-double was her third.

Corey Mulder also finished in double figures with 11 points in 16 minutes off the bench.

Chicago shot 50% from the field to 26% for the Cardinals. With 14 boards from Simpson and 10 from Meghan Herrick, the Maroons outrebounded North Central by a 53-36 margin.

Jackie Errico notched a double-double with 13 points and 11 boards for the Cardinals, while Sophie Newson and Christine Karl added 13 and 11 points, respectively.