This one was different.

Consecutive win #59 did not come easy. 

The New York University women's basketball team was severely tested for the first time all season, but used a second-half run to continue its undefeated season with a 74-53 win over SUNY Geneseo in an NCAA Division III Tournament Sweet 16 match-up on Friday, March 14, in Gettysburg, PA.

Coming into the contest having beaten its opponents by an average of over 39 points per game, the Violets had their hands full with the Knights throughout the first half.

NYU trailed multiple times and were behind 27-26 midway through the second quarter.

It marked the first time all season that NYU had been behind in the first half.

The Violets managed to take a slim 31-29 advantage at halftime.

Still ahead 33-31, NYU went on a 17-4 run to open its first double-digit lead.

SUNY Geneseo pulled with eight, 52-44, early in the fourth quarter. But, back-to-back three-pointers from Brooke Batchelor ignited a 20-2 streak that clinched the hard-earned victory.

"That felt like Sweet 16 basketball," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "Geneseo was tremendous today. We were forced to make adjustments in the second half, and we were able to come out with a strong punch in the third quarter to get the win."
 
Batchelor matched her career high with 17 points while adding 11 rebound in producing her second career double-double.  

"The players on this team really work hard and I just want to replicate that effort," Batchelor said. "I love this team and I just wanted to come out with a lot of energy for them."

Natalie Bruns also recorded a double-double with 16 points and game-highs of 13 rebounds, six assists and four blocks.

"Although we've been winning by a lot of points most of this year, we have a lot of upperclassmen who have played in games like this," Bruns explained. "We rely on our experience when we have tough moments like this. When people throw punches at us, we have the confidence and experience to believe we will come out with the win."

Belle Pellecchia, who sat for most of the first half due to foul trouble, finished with 11 points, while both Mary Kate Fahey and Jamie Behar added 10.

NYU only shot 34.4 percent (11-of-32) from the field in the first half, but revved it up to 50.0 percent (15-30) in the second.

"Geneseo was gritty and tough, and this bracket is outstanding," Barber added. "It's fun to play in games like that in the Sweet 16."  
   
The Violets now move on to play in the Elite 8 against host Gettysburg College on Saturday night at 7:00pm.