The Baruch College Bearcats put up a valiant effort, but fell 72-54 to the #6 ranked Violets of New York University in a non-conference Thanksgiving Eve contest in the ARC Arena.

The two teams played to a tie at 19 after the first period, but the Violets started the second with a 12-4 run en route to building a 43-33 halftime advantage.

The NYU lead would grow to as much as 19 points during the third period, but the Bearcats attempted a comeback with a three by Jacqueline Kennedy and back-to-back threes by Veronica Ganzi to get as close as 60-48.

Drew Cabral connected on one-of-two free throws to end the third period with NYU leading, 61-48.

The Bearcats started the fourth with a layup by Kennedy to cut the score to 61-50, and it would stay that way until a driving layup by Riley Wurtz broke a nearly five minute drought for NYU, who would go on to win, 72-54.

The Bearcats limited NYU to 36 percent shooting (28-for-77), while the Bearcats were slightly better with less shots at 39 percent (20-for-52), which included 7-for-18 from three.

Ganzi led the Bearcats with 20 points and Kristen Podlovits had 15 points, seven rebounds and two steals in another all-around effort. Kennedy recorded her third straight double-double with 13 points, 13 rebounds, and a career-high six blocks.

Megan Dawe led NYU (4-0) with a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds. Wurtz finished with six points, eight rebounds, six assists and four steals.

The Bearcats will next begin the CUNYAC portion of their schedule on Friday, December 4, with a 5:30pm contest uptown at rival Hunter College.