ROCHESTER, N.Y. – After a 66-56 loss to highly-regarded Chicago on Friday evening. University of Rochester head coach Jim Scheible had one focus heading into Sunday's game against sixth-ranked (and defending national champion) Washington University. 

"We had to get back up to play another top team," Scheible said, after Rochester posted a 71-61 victory over Washington at the Louis Alexander Palestra. "The players had to get their energy up to a high enough level to knock off a top 10 team."

The Yellowjackets did that. Jodie Luther scored 17 points, hitting seven of eight from the floor, three of four from the line. Madeline Korber had 11 points, hitting four of five from the field and all three of her foul shots. She added five rebounds and three blocked shots. Melissa Alwardt scored 13 points and Kristin Wright had 12.

Kathryn Berger led Washington with 18 points before fouling out with 4:39 to play and the Bears down, 57-50. Dani Hoover scored 11 points.

The win gives Rochester a record of 17-5 overall, 7-4 in the University Athletic Association (third place). The Yellowjackets play their last three on the road – at Carnegie on Friday, at Case Sunday, and at Emory on February 26.

Washington is 18-4 overall, 9-2 in the UAA. The Bears trail Chicago by two games with three to play. Washington hosts NYU on Friday, Brandeis on Sunday. Chicago hosts Brandeis, then NYU. Chicago goes to Washington for the season finale on February 26.

"We had to win the battle in the paint," Scheible said. Rochester outscored Washington 26-12 in the paint.  "Jodie and Maddie were the big difference in the game."

Wright sank two free throws to ignite a 9-0 run over the final 2:45 of the first half that pushed Rochester ahead, 34-25, at the break. Jackie Walker added a layup. Alwardt sank a layup, then hit a three-pointer from right wing to close the burst. 

Washington couldn't get the deficit under eight for much of the second half. The Bears pulled within seven on Brianne Monahan's jumper, but Luther sank a runner in the lane. Two foul shots from Berger pulled Washington within 57-50. Alwardt missed a layup, got her own rebound, and went up again. She missed, but drew the fifth foul on Berger. She made both free throws. Dani Hoover later made a conventional three-point play (59-53 Rochester at 4:27) but Luther hit another jumper in the lane.

Rochester shot 46.3% from the floor (25-54). The Yellowjackets hit 5 of 16 outside the arc (31.3%) and 16 of 21 from the line (76.2%). Washington shot 32.8% from the floor (21 of 64). The Bears were 7 of 26 outside the arc (26.9%) and made 12 of 15 from the line (80%).