ST. LOUIS -- The Washington University (Mo.) Bears limited the University of New England to just 20.7 percent shooting after halftime and overcame a 24-point effort from Big Blue junior Margo Russell (Madison, Maine) as the nationally-ranked tournament hosts picked up a 64-53 women's basketball victory on the first day of action at the 10th Annual McWilliams Classic played in the WU Field House.
Washington U. (4-1), the defending NCAA Division III Champion and currently the nation's No. 6 team (D3hoops.com), advances to its ninth title game in the event and will face Elmhurst College on Saturday (6 p.m. Central). The Bluejays topped Ohio Wesleyan University, 64-54, in the first game of the afternoon.
With their third straight setback, the Nor'easters (4-3) are set to take on the Bishops in the consolation match (2 p.m. Central).
Russell's point total marked a career-best for the forward, while her 15 of 16 performance from the charity stripe left her one made free throw shy of the tournament single-game record set back in 2006. Classmate Kelley Paradis (Newport, Maine) added eight points to the UNE cause, and both players recorded seven rebounds.
The Bears received a double-double from senior Kathryn Berger (Livonia, Mich.), who went for 13 points -- 11 in the first half -- and 10 boards. Sophomore Annie Sayers chipped in with 11 points to go with eight caroms. Junior Bethany Morrison (Little Rock, Ark.) and first-year Jordan Rettig (Sugar Grove, Ill.) each registered nine points.
Washington U. dominated the game inside, finishing with sizeable advantages in rebounds (56-32) as well as points in the paint (38-14).
After three-pointer from UNE junior Carrie Bunnell (Barnet, Vt.) to open the contest, the Bears went on a 14-2 run over the next six minutes to gain control. The margin swelled to nine once more (22-13) during the half, before the visitors closed the gap to 30-25 at the break.
The Nor'easters held tough defensively in the frame, holding Washington U. to just 24.4 percent (10 of 41) shooting from the floor. Big Blue, which made eight of 19 field goal attempts (42.1 percent), was hampered by 13 turnovers.
Paradis drained one from deep on the first possession of the second period to reduce the deficit to two (30-28), but six unanswered points right back gave the Bears some breathing room with 15 minutes remaining.
Washington U. pushed the lead as high as 16 twice in the final moments, before UNE recorded the last five points to reach the final tally.
Despite finishing the game 3-for-19 (15.8 percent) from behind the arc, the Bears' rallied to shoot 46.4 (13 of 28) in the second half, utilizing their size down low to pull out the win.