The New York University women's basketball team defeated Brandeis University 57-46 in its University Athletic Association (UAA) opener on Saturday afternoon, January 9, at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
 
NYU (11-0, 1-0 UAA) started off fast against the Judges (7-5, 0-1 UAA), getting out to a 12-2 run in the first quarter and ultimately taking a 12-4 lead into the second. After an even period in which both teams scored 13 points apiece, the Violets took a 25-17 lead into the break following an Amy Harioka three-pointer with time winding down.
 
"I think this is what UAA basketball is all about," said NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "The teams know each other really well and these games tend to be grind-it-out games because each team knows what the other teams are trying to do and these are good coaches and players who are preparing for that."
 
The second half started the same way the first ended, as each team was even, this time with 17 points apiece. Heading into the fourth, NYU led Brandeis 42-34 and eventually extended its lead to 18 points at 57-39 with 2:22 remaining before finishing up with the 11-point victory.
 
"Brandeis is a really good defensive team," continued Hall-Gregory. "That's what they pride themselves on and they made things difficult for us offensively."
 
Kaitlyn Read's all-around game helped lead the Violets to the victory. The junior guard finished with game highs in points (16), assists (6) and steals (6), and added five rebounds.
 
With the victory, Hall-Gregory has now guided her squad to three consecutive 11-0 starts.
 
HIGHLIGHTS:
 
- Riley Wurtz and Megan Dawe also scored in double-figures for NYU. Wurtz had 11 points, one assist, one steal, and one rebound, while Dawe finished 4-of-5 with 10 points and three rebounds. The senior center played just 18 minutes due to foul trouble.
 
- Lindsey Oldshue and Mikaela Pyatt led NYU with seven rebounds apiece. Each player also had two points and a block, while Oldshue also added three assists.
 
- Cassidy Fontana finished with four points, four rebounds and a steal in 16 minutes.
 
The Violets, ranked #4 and #5 by D3hoops.com and USA Today, respectively, will return to the court when they travel uptown on Monday night, January 11. NYU will face Hunter College at 5:00 pm in the first half of the annual doubleheader.