ST. LOUIS, Mo. - The women's basketball team led 18-15 after the first quarter but could not maintain the lead in Friday's 76-54 loss against WashU in the McWilliams Classic.
The McWilliams Classic is one of the nation's premier NCAA Division III tournaments, bringing teams from Illinois, Arkansas, and California to St. Louis for an event that is designed similar to a Final Four experience. The teams gathered for a banquet on Thursday evening, a luncheon on Friday, and competition on Friday and Saturday.
After taking the first quarter lead, the Panthers held the advantage until just over six minutes remained in the second period. WashU tied the game at 22-all and took the lead thereafter.
The Panthers went into halftime facing a 34-28 deficit.
In the third quarter, WashU pushed the lead to 12, but the Panthers cut the advantage back to six with a three-pointer by Rachel Fettig with five minutes to go in the third quarter. WashU ended the third period on top 56-40.
In the final quarter, GU was outscored 20-14.
Madelyn Stephen was the game's leading scorer with 19 points on a 9-of-16 performance from the field and a 1-of-3 mark behind the perimeter.
Hannah Krukewitt and Emily Reinneck each ended with nine points.
Krukewitt was also active on the boards with a team-high eight rebounds.
Lauren Eagleson and Abigail Reinneck each provided four assists, and Stephen and Emily Reinneck had three steals.
The Panthers (3-4) play Hendrix at 5 p.m. on Saturday in their second game of the event.