WUSTL first in Directors’ Cup standings
Washington University sits in first place in the Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup fall standings, as announced by the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics (NACDA).
The Bears totaled 336 points in the fall season and have an 11-point lead over second-place Calvin College (327 points). Middlebury College sits in third place with 325 points, with Messiah College (280 points) and Williams College (236 points) rounding out the top five.
The Bears had five teams advance to NCAA championships in the fall, led by a second-place finish in women’s cross country and a third-place finish in women’s volleyball. The men’s cross country team placed ninth, while the men’s and women’s soccer teams recorded 17th place finishes.
The Learfield Sports Directors’ Cup was developed as a joint effort between NACDA and USA Today. Points are awarded based on each institution’s finish in up to 18 sports — nine women’s and nine men’s.
Women’s basketball improves to 7-1
The No. 6 women’s basketball team improved to 7-1 following victories over Central College (Iowa), 81-47, and Loras College, 69-49, Dec. 10 and 11 at the Washington University Field House.
Senior Kathryn Berger led the way for the Bears in both wins, tallying 17 points and 11 rebounds in each game. In the win over Loras College, senior Alex Hoover tallied seven assists to increase her career total to 341, moving her past Sarah Goldman for second place in school history.
As a team, WUSTL continued to dominate its opponents on the defensive end, as the Bears allowed just 48.0 points per game last week, holding their opponents to 31.9 percent shooting. The Bears also controlled the glass, averaging 56.0 rebounds per game for a 19.5 rebounding margin.
The team concludes its first semester of competition at 1 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18 at Webster University in St. Louis.
Men’s basketball splits pair of games
The men’s basketball team split a pair of games last week to even its overall record to 4-4.
Junior Dylan Richter scored a career-high 23 points and senior Spencer Gay tied his career high with 22 points as the Bears picked up a 82-65 victory over Fontbonne University Dec. 8 at WU Field House.
Freshman guard Tim Cooney also scored in double figures for Washington University and set a new career-high with 14 points. Sophomore point guard Ben Hoener racked up a career-best 10 assists as Washington University shot 51.7 percent from the field and 52.6 percent from three-point range, hitting a season-high 10 three pointers in the win.
The Bears had their two-game win streak snapped Dec. 11 with a 56-55 loss at Wheaton College. Junior Alex Toth scored a season-high 16 points and pulled down nine rebounds, while Richter added 15 points and Gay recorded a double-double with 10 points and 10 boards. Freshman Alan Aboona finished with seven points and seven assists in the loss.
WUSTL built a 33-22 halftime advantage after shooting a sizzling 60 percent (15-25) from the field in the opening 20 minutes of play.
The Bears conclude first semester play at home against No. 10 Illinois Wesleyan University at 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 18.