Eleven different players scored for the Yellowjackets as the University of Rochester women's basketball team defeated NYU 83-68 in a UAA contest Friday night at the Palestra.
In front of their fellow students for the first time in over a month, UR (13-4, 5-1 UAA) grabbed 15 offensive rebounds which turned into 23 2nd chance points to overpower an undermanned NYU squad. The Violets drop to 8-9 overall and 1-5 in the UAA.
Three on Rochester were in double-figure scoring to lead the balanced effort, Loren Wagner had 12 points and both Amy Woods and Paige Aleski had 11. Breanna Madrazo and Kristyn Wright had nine points each with Jackie Walker chipping in eight.
NYU had four players in double figures with Riley Wurtz leading the way with 14 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists. Cassidy Jourdan had 14 points with Nicole Lem adding in 11 with seven rebounds and Megan Dawe scoring 11 points.
NYU was able to hang with the Yellowjackets early in the game, earning a five point lead four different times during the first half. With 7:34 remaining in the first session, Danielle McNabb hit a jumper to ignite a 21-5 run over the next 6:08. The run built UR's first lead to 11 points after starting the burst being down five.
At the half, the Yellowjackets went in ahead 40-33. During halftime, members of the 2002-03 and 03-04 squads were honored in front of the home crowd for their exploits in reaching the NCAA Division III Final Four during those seasons.
During the second half, UR continually built the lead, overpowering the Violets and capitalizing of NYU turnovers. NYU committed eight turnovers in the session leading to 12 UR points. The Rochester bench also was solid, scoring over half of the teams points, 44 to NYU's 16.
The Yellowjackets used a 13-2 run midway through the second half to put the game away. Walker and Madrazo each scored four points in the spurt that boosted UR's lead to 22 with 7:55 remaining.
McNabb contributed a career high 11 rebounds while Wright and Aleski each nailed three 3-pointers on the night. Ally Zywicki contributed five points and six assists.
The Yellowjackets push their win streak to five and look to make it six straight in the UAA on Sunday when they host Brandeis University. The Judges come to town with a 1-5 UAA record after being beaten by Emory University tonight. UR, Emory and Washington-St. Louis all are tied atop the conference standings with a 5-1 record.