BOX SCORE

ST. LOUIS, Mo. -- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology relied on a team defensive effort and a stellar performance from junior Carrie Morris to top perennial power Denison 59-51 in the consolation game of the women's basketball McWilliams Classic at Washington University on Saturday night.

Morris recorded the second 20-plus point performance of her career to lead the Fightin' Engineers past a Denison team widely regarded as one of the top annual women's squad in the Midwest.  Morris finished 8-13 from the field with 23 points and six rebounds to lead the Rose-Hulman offense. 

For her efforts, Morris earned a spot on the McWilliams Classic all-tournament team following the championship game.

Junior Cassidy Cain and sophomore Abbie Marshall provided scoring balance with 10 points each.  Cain added six rebounds and hit four free throws in the final 12 seconds, while Marshall had five rebounds.  Sophomore Jamie Loving contributed five points to the effort, and senior Gracie Gibbs led the rebounding performance with seven boards.

Rose-Hulman's defense was the story of the day, however, as the Fightin' Engineers held Denison to just 33% shooting for the game and 16 points in the first half.  Rose-Hulman led 21-16 at the break and pushed the lead as high as 18 points in the second half to secure its first victory of the season.

Gabrielle Nottage led Denison with 10 points, as the Fightin' Engineer defense held the Big Red to just one player in double figures in the victory.  Rose-Hulman also owned an edge in rebounds by five with a 43-38 margin.

Rose-Hulman held the lead at 50-34 with 3:54 remaining after a three-point play by Marshall, but the Big Red showcased the tradition of their program with a huge run to end the game.  Denison closed to within 55-51 in the final 15 seconds of regulation, before four free throws by Cain helped secure the victory.

Rose-Hulman improved to 1-1 on the season, while Denison dropped to 1-3.  The Fightin' Engineers return to action at Illinois Institute of Technology on Monday night at 6 p.m. Central Time.