WALTHAM, Mass. – Senior Elias Rodl (Berlin, Germany/ Schulund Leistungssportzentrum Berlin) erupted for a career-high 41 points on Senior Day, but the Brandeis University men's basketball team could not overcome a strong performance from Washington University in St. Louis, falling 74-68 in UAA action.

TEAM RECORDS

• Brandeis, 13-11, 6-7 UAA.
• WashU, 17-7, 7-6 UAA.

HOW IT HAPPENED

• Brandeis opened the game on a 10-0 run behind four early points from Rodl as well as buckets by sophomore Alex Zakheim (Bergenfield, N.J./ Perkiomen, Pa.) and graduate student Jai Deshpande (San Carlos, Calif./Sacred Heart Prep).
• The Bears responded midway through the first half with a series of layups and three-pointers, using a 25-2 stretch to flip the deficit into a double-digit lead.
• Rodl kept the Judges within striking distance, scoring 17 first-half points, including a late hook shot and assisting on a buzzer-beating 3-pointer by Deshpande to send Brandeis into the break trailing 39-29.
• The Judges chipped away early in the second half. A 3-pointer from Rodl and senior Enrique Perez (Miami, Fla./Riviera Prep) and additional baskets from Rodl cut the margin to two at 45-43 with 13 minutes left on the clock.
• Back-to-back threes from sophomore Ryan Weiss (Hewlett, N.Y./North Broward Prep) and Rodl brought Brandeis within one point, 50-49, midway through the half.
• However, each time the Judges threatened, WashU answered. The Bears rebuilt their double-digit cushion with 6:53 to play behind points in the paint from George Gale and multiple 3-pointers from Will Grudzinski.
• Rodl refused to let the Judges go quietly, converting four free throws in the last four minutes and knocking down a 3-pointer in the final minute to pull Brandeis within six. 
• Brandeis got a couple of WashU turnovers late in the game, but saw a couple of long buckets rattle in and out. 
• Rodl added a layup with 15 seconds left on the clock to eclipse the 40-point plateau, but WashU held on for the 74-68 victory.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

• Rodl's 41 points led all scorers, he hit 16-of-24 from the field, 5-of-10 from 3-point range, and 4-of-4 from the line. 
• Rodl completed a double-double with 11 rebounds. 
• Rodl's 41-point game is the most since Feb. 11, 1992, when Steve Harrington '92 had 41 in a game against Amherst.
• Zakheim added nine points, six rebounds, and four assists, while Deshpande and graduate student DJ Courtney (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) chipped in five points each.
• Will Grudzinski led the Bears with 21 points, Connor May added 16, and WashU received 44 bench points in the win.
• Brandeis shot 41.0 percent from the field (25-61) and 38.5 percent from three-point range (10-26), while converting 8-of-10 free throws. The Judges committed just four turnovers and recorded five steals.
• However, WashU shot 47.1 percent from the floor (32-68) and held a 45-31 rebounding advantage, including 13 offensive boards that led to 10 second-chance points to secure the win.

SENIOR DAY

• Before the game, Brandeis honored its four seniors playing in their final regular-season home games. 
  • Forward Elias Rodl (Berlin, Germany/Schulund Leistungssportzentrum Berlin)
  • Guard Enrique Perez (Miami, Fla./Riviera Prep)
  • Guard Jake Bender (Scituate, R.I./St. George's School)
  • Guard/Forward Matthew Cadogan (Weston, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas)

UP NEXT

• Brandeis concludes the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 28 at 1 p.m., traveling to New York City to face NYU in a final UAA matchup.