CHICAGO, Ill. -- The Rose-Hulman women's basketball team picked up a huge road victory Tuesday night in Chicago as the Fightin' Engineers topped the University of Chicago Maroons by a final score of 64-62. Chicago had the ball with eight seconds remaining and managed to hit their field goal attempt at the buzzer, however, the ball was not released in time and the shot did not count allowing Rose-Hulman to escape the Ratner Center with their second win of the season.
Rose-Hulman got off to a fast start in the game, jumping out to a 21-8 lead at the end of the first quarter. Rose-Hulman shot 62.5% (10-16) from the floor in the opening period and outrebounded Chicago 13-5. In the game, RHIT outrebounded the Maroons 48-28 and had 20 offensive rebounds.
Chicago, ranked No. 22 in the latest D3Hoops.com poll, closed the gap in the second quarter, outscoring Rose-Hulman 23-11 in the period. The Maroons hit a three-pointer at the buzzer and trailed RHIT 32-31 at halftime.
The Maroons carried the momentum they had built in the second quarter over to the third as they outscored the Fightin' Engineers 18-13. Rose-Hulman fell behind by as much as 12 points in the fourth quarter but a veteran and battle-tested team buckled down and began their comeback. Taylor Graham facilitated the RHIT comeback with three three-point jump shots. Graham then made a pair of free throws with 1:33 left in regulation to bring the Engineers within a point at 62-61. She finished with 14 points in 22 minutes of the bench.
Following a Chicago missed field goal attempt, senior Alyzia Dilworth made a layup with 24 seconds left to give Rose-Hulman a 63-62. The Maroons turned the ball over on the ensuing possession. Chiarra Franklin was fouled but missed both free throws. However, junior Ally Bromenschenkel rebounded the second missed foul shot attempt. She would make one of two free throws to give RHIT a 64-62 lead. Chicago's final shot attempt went through the net but the ball was not released in time and did not count.
Ally Bromenschenkel finished with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Chiarra Franklin finished with eight points and 10 rebounds. Abby Bromenschenkel added seven assists, four rebounds, and four steals in the win.
Rose-Hulman improved to 2-1 on the season while No. 22 Chicago fell to 2-2. RHIT will play in the Midwest Challenge on Saturday November 25. The Fightin' Engineers open with No. 6 DePauw University.
