St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 26, 2020 – The Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team rallied to get within two midway through the fourth quarter but New York University pulled away for an 81-77 victory Sunday in University Athletic Association (UAA) at the WU Field House in St. Louis.

New York improved to 13-3 and 3-2 in the UAA, while WashU fell to 8-8 and 1-4 in the conference.

Senior forward Kristina Schmelter had a season-high 18 points and eight rebounds, while freshman guard Sammi Matoush added 14 points and a career-high five assists. Sophomore forward Samantha Weaver added 11 points and eight boards for WashU, who shot 43.1 percent (25-58) from the field and hit 19-of-25 from the foul line.

WashU cut the lead to two (59-57) with 6:13 to play on a bucket by Matoush, but NYU answered with an 8-1 run to put the game out of reach. The Violets hit 13-of-16 from the free-throw line in the fourth quarter.

NYU jumped in front 16-7 midway through the first quarter, but back to-back threes by freshman Naomi Jackson and Matoush cut the lead to six (19-13). WashU trailed 23-18 after one quarter of play. Jenny Walker had 10 points for NYU.

WashU opened the second quarter on a 7-0 run to take the 25-23 lead, but NYU answered right back with an 8-0 run. The Violets took a 39-33 lead to half as Schmelter had 12 points in the first half to lead the Bears.

NYU outscored WashU 17-15 in the third quarter to extend its lead to 56-48.

Walker led NYU with a career-high 21 points, five rebounds and four blocks, while Annie Barrett just missed a triple-double with 15 points, eight assists and eight rebounds. NYU shot 43.8 percent (28-64) from the field and hit 10-of-31 threes. The Violets had a 19-9 advantage in points off turnovers.

WashU hosts Rochester on Friday, Jan. 31 at 6 p.m. During a halftime ceremony, seven individuals and one team will be recognized for their inductions into the WashU Sports Hall of Fame.

BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with NYU 46-20, and the Violets snapped a two-game losing skid to the Bears … WashU is 26-9 at home under head coach Randi Henderson in three seasons.