ROCHESTER, N.Y. - Led by a career high 23 points from Lauren Deming, the University of Rochester defeated Carnegie Mellon University, 75-52, in a matchup of nationally-ranked women's basketball teams at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Sunday.
It was the 11th straight victory for Rochester (15-1 overall, 5-0 University Athletic Association). The Yellowjackets are ranked No. 7 by D3hoops.com and No. 10 by the WBCA. Carnegie Mellon lost its third straight game. The Tartans are 13-3 overall, 2-3 in the UAA. CMU is ranked No. 20 by D3hoops.com and No. 21 by the WBCA.
Rochester sits in first place alone in the UAA standings. NYU upended Washington,, 66-64, in St. Louis on Sunday. The Bears and Violets are both 4-1, a game back. Rochester plays at Washington on January 29 (at Chicago on January 31), then hosts Washington in the Palestra on February 5.
Kayla Kibling scored 12 points for Rochester and Al Leslie added 11 plus eight rebounds. Brynn Lauer had seven assists, six rebounds, and two steals. Sarah Kaminsky hit two treys enroute to eight points.
Jackie Hudepohl led CMU with 13 points. Lisa Murphy scored 12 and grabbed eight rebounds. Liza Otto added 11 points.
Rochester held a 35-30 lead midway through the second quarter before the Yellowjackets went on a 9-4 flurry to lead, 44-34, at the half. Deming scored four of the points and Kelsey Hurley had three.
Carnegie Mellon's shooting turned cold in the third quarter. The Tartans went seven minutes without a field goal – combining for eight missed shots and three turnovers in that span. The offense came from two free throws by Murphy and one by Otto. Rochester capitalized on five Leslie foul shots, a follow in the paint by Jillian Silvestri, and a layup by Deming to build the lead to 55-39 with three minutes remaining. Rochester led, 62-44, after three quarters.