The #7-ranked (Dhoops.com and USA Today) New York University women's basketball team defeated #3 Washington University-St. Louis 64-58 on Friday night, January 23, at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
After taking a 10-point halftime lead, 41-31, NYU (15-0, 4-0 University Athletic Association) increased its lead to a game-high 11 points, 49-38, with 14:15 remaining in the game.
But, the Bears (14-1, 3-1) fought back and pulled within three, 56-53, with 2:37 remaining.
However, Melissa Peng followed with a long jumper and added three free throws down the stretch as the Violets held on for the win.
"Wash U. is a phenomenal team, and we're not going to beat them by 30 points," said NYU Head Coach Lauren-Hall Gregory. "We're going to go on our runs and they're going to go on their runs. It's just that we had to go on a lit bit of a longer run at the end of the game to come out on top."
Peng finished with 11 points and a game-high four assists. Megan Dawe, who hit the clinching layup with 11 seconds left after the Bears had pulled to within 61-58, finished with 15 points and seven rebounds.
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Amy Harioka drained two huge three pointers in the first half en route to 11 points. She also recorded two steals.
- Kaitlyn Read fought through foul trouble in the second half but still chipped in 14 points on the evening to go along with six rebounds and two steals.
- Emily Rowe led all players with nine rebounds while chipping in five points.
- The Violets held Washington, the UAA's highest-scoring team, to a season-low point total.
The Violets will be back in action on Sunday, January 25, when they host the University of Chicago. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm at Coles. Live video and live stats will both be available.