Sports update Jan. 3: Women’s basketball captures Wartburg Holiday Tournament title

The No. 10-ranked women’s basketball team battled its way to two wins at the Wartburg Holiday Tournament, beating University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, 61-48, on the first day before claiming the tournament title Dec. 30 with a 47-37 win over host Wartburg College.

Senior guard Dani Hoover was named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player after scoring 15 points, all in the second half, to lead the Bears to the win over Wartburg. Junior forward Annie Sayers also was selected to the all-tournament team for the Bears. Sayers scored eight points and pulled down seven rebounds in the championship game after scoring 15 points and grabbing five rebounds against UW-Oshkosh. Senior Claire Schaeperkoetter led WUSTL in its win over UW-Oshkosh with 17 points, just one point shy of her career high.

Freshman Melissa Gilkey also had a good tournament for the Bears, recording 10 points and nine rebounds against UW-Oshkosh, and five points and 10 rebounds in the championship against Wartburg. With the wins, Washington U. finished its non-conference schedule with a 10-1 record, including a 6-0 mark in December. The Bears will open their University Athletic Association (UAA) schedule against No. 2 University of Chicago at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, at the WU Field House.

Men’s basketball wins at Elmhurst on last-second shot

Senior guard Dylan Richter nailed an 18-foot jumper from the corner as time expired to lead the men’s basketball team to a key regional road win at Elmhurst College Dec. 30 in Elmhurst, Ill.

After Jerome Robinson converted 1-of-2 free-throws with four seconds remaining to give Elmhurst a one-point lead (66-65), the Bears threw the ball to half court and called timeout.

WUSTL ran the final play in perfection following the timeout, as sophomore Alan Aboona came off a screen at the top of the key and took one dribble before firing a pass to Richter for the game-winner. Richter scored 12 of his 14 points in the final 6:29 of the contest, and also added a season-high five assists, three rebounds, three assists, two blocks and two steals in the win.

Freshman Matt Palucki scored a career-best 14 points on 7-of-9 shooting, while senior Alex Toth (11 points, seven rebounds) and Aboona (11 points, five assists, four rebounds) also scored in double figures. The Bears shot 45.8 percent (27-59) from the field in the win, and outrebounded Elmhurst 35-28.

Head coach Mark Edwards picked up the 550th win of his career against Elmhurst. Edwards is 550-254 (684) in 31 seasons at his alma mater. WUSTL closes out nonconference play with an 8-3 record and begins University Athletic Association (UAA) play at 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 7, against the University of Chicago at the WU Field House.