CHICAGO -- Led by Taylor Simpson's 18 points and 14 rebounds, the sixth-ranked University of Chicago women's basketball team clinched at least a share of the University Athletic Association championship with a 70-54 win over Brandeis University Friday at the Ratner Athletics Center.

Matching a school record with its 16th consecutive victory, Chicago (20-3) improved to 12-0 in conference play. A win over New York University Sunday at the Ratner Center would give the Maroons their second outright league crown in four years and an automatic bid to the 2011 NCAA Division III tournament.

Chicago led 27-23 after a closely-contested first half. The Maroons then opened the second stanza with a 10-2 run and by the midpoint of the period had built a 53-36 advantage. Brandeis (11-12, 3-9) could get no closer than 14 points the rest of the way.

One of four Maroons to net double digits, Simpson turned in her league-leading 10th double-double of the season.

Meghan Herrick finished with 14 points, while Bryanne Halfhill and Morgan Herrick added 11 and 10 points, respectively.

Mia DePalo and Courtney Ness paced the Judges with 11 points each.

Chicago hosts NYU Sunday at 2 p.m. in its final regular season home contest of the year.