The New York University women's basketball team defeated the University of Rochester 80-66 on Friday night, January 30, at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
 
The Violets (16-1, 5-1 University Athletic Association) trailed the Yellowjackets (10-7, 2-4 UAA) for most of the first half and went into the locker room down 38-32.
 
"When you get off to a slow start, there's always concern," said NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "In the first half, defensively, we were allowing them to get any shot they wanted."
 
NYU, which entered the night ranked #8 by both D3hoops.com and USA Today Sports, came out strong in the second half and outscored Rochester 48-28. The advantage was anchored by a 13-0 run that began with a Megan Dawe layup at the 18:34 mark and ended with a basket and a free throw fromKaitlyn Read with 14:25 remaining.
 
That duo, along with Melissa Peng, was the main force as the Violets earned their 16th victory of the season.

"In the second half we came out like we are capable of playing," added Hall-Gregory.

Dawe scored 15 points and pulled down a game-high-tying nine rebounds. Read finished the contest with a season- and game-best 20 points on 6-of-8 from the floor. The sophomore guard has recorded five straight double-digit scoring efforts. Peng rounded out the Violets' double-figure scorers, pouring in a career-high-tying 15 points to go along with a game-high seven assists, which also tied a season high.
 
"We have a resilient, tough group here," said Hall-Gregory. "But, I think they just needed to be reminded of that."
 
HIGHLIGHTS:
 
- Read also collected six rebounds and two steals. The University Park, TX, native was also a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line.
 
- Lindsey Oldshue and Amy Harioka each chipped in seven points.
 
- Emily Rowe pulled down six rebounds. The sophomore center also had four points and a block.
 
- Riley Wurtz finished with six points , five rebounds, one assist, one block, and one steal.
 
The Violets will be back in action on Sunday afternoon, February 1, when they host Emory University at Coles. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 pm with live stats and live video available.