[media id=”104260″ align=”left”/]This weekend will be the last time the Maroons (7–13, 3–6) play a conference game at home this season. They are looking to make the most of it.
Tonight, the squad faces Rochester University, a team that they lost to by 22 points earlier in the season. The Yellowjackets (15–5, 7–2 UAA), currently ranked second in the UAA, are coming off a 62–49 loss against Brandeis earlier in the week.
Chicago’s mindset going into this game is positive. In particular, the team hopes to capitalize on its recent rebounding success against Carnegie Mellon. Indeed, last Sunday’s game against Carnegie marked the eighth consecutive contest in which the Maroons won the rebounding battle against their opponents.
“Against Carnegie, we did a great job at setting the pace of the game at the level we wanted to play at,” second-year guard Claire Devaney said. “We got stops on defense and were able to get easy baskets in transition. Hopefully we can do the same in the games this weekend.”
On Sunday, the Maroons will take on #20 Emory (18–2, 8–1 UAA), which has the best conference record in the UAA. The Eagles’ last game was a 12-point win against NYU.
Emory bested the South Siders 80–64 when they met earlier in the season. Much of the trouble that Chicago experienced in that matchup was the result of its 29 forced turnovers. In order to record the upset, the Maroons will have to find a solution to some of their recent shooting and ball-control problems.
“To beat Emory we are going to have to stay focused for the full 40 minutes and maintain our composure against their press,” third-year post player Christiane Murray said. “This will ensure that we limit our turnovers and get great shots on offense.”
Sunday’s game may be more important than a normal conference meeting, however, as it is the last chance for the Maroons to play at home this season. It is also Senior Day.
The afternoon matchup will be fourth-year guard Jenna Lillemoe’s final home game as a Chicago Maroon.
“With this being our last game at home we want to finish strong,” Murray said. “This season has been challenging and finishing with a win will be a confidence booster heading into our game with Wash U.
“This is [also] Jenna’s last home game, so hopefully we can finish on a high note for her. She has been an amazing teammate on and off the court and she definitely deserves a win at home after all of the dedication she has shown for the program.”
Tonight’s tip-off against Rochester is set for 6 p.m. at the Ratner Athletics Center. Sunday’s game against Emory is scheduled for 2 p.m. at the same place.
