New York, N.Y., February 19, 2012 - SeniorBrianne Monahan recorded the first double-double of her career with career-highs of 17 points and 12 rebounds to lead the No. 12-ranked Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team to a 76-59 win at New York University on Sunday afternoon.

Washington U.'s win and a loss by No. 11 University of Rochester secured a second-place finish in the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings for the Bears with one regular-season game remaining. It marks the 24th time in 25 seasons of UAA play that the Bears will finish in the top two.

In a back-and-forth first half, New York took a 14-13 lead with 11:04 left in the period. The Bears went on a 10-2 run over the next three minutes to take a 23-16 lead after back-to-back three-pointers by freshmanMaddy Scheppers. Washington U. extended the lead to nine (27-18) on a layup by sophomore Jordan Rettig with 6:19 to play in the half. The Violets cut the lead to five with less than three minutes left, but a layup by Monahan gave the Bears a 34-26 halftime advantage.

A three-point play by freshman Melissa Gilkey extended Washington U.'s lead to 11 points (37-26) on the Bears' first possession of the second half. New York rallied to within two (40-38), outscoring the Bears 12-3 over the next four minutes. Washington U. stretched the lead back to five on a layup by Rettig before New York cut the lead to two again (46-44) with 12:10 left.

The Bears broke the game open with a 14-2 run over the next four minutes, including back-to-back three-pointers by seniorClaire Schaeperkoetter. New York was unable to get closer than 11 the remainder of the game, and Washington U. extended to a 20-point lead with 1:30 remaining before earning the 17-point win.

Washington U. shot 43.2 percent (32-74) from the field, including 42.1 percent (8-19) from three-point range. New York shot 40 percent (22-55) from the field, and 31.6 percent (6-19) from beyond the arc. The Bears finished with a 45-37 rebounding advantage, including a 20-11 advantage on the offensive boards.

Monahan led five Washington U. players in double figures with 17 points and 12 rebounds, including five offensive boards. Rettig and Schaeperkoetter added 12 points each. Rettig also pulled down six rebounds, and Schaeperkoetter equaled her career-high with six assists. Senior Dani Hoover added 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and three steals. Scheppers also finished with 11 points, including 3-of-4 from three-point range.

Washington U. (20-4, 10-3 UAA) travels to No. 2 University of Chicago to finish the regular-season. Tip-off is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 25.

BEAR NOTEBOOK: Washington U. leads the all-time series against New York, 36-15 … The Bears made more three-pointers (8) than free throws (4) for the third time this season … Senior Bethany Morrison is now 11 assists shy of 10th on Washington U.'s all-time career list after recording four against the Violets.