St. Louis, Mo. – The Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team capped off a great weekend of UAA play on Sunday with a 57-56 fourth quarter comeback victory over No. 1 NYU.
With the victory, WashU stays perfect in league play (3-0) and improves to 10-4 on the year. In addition, the Bears remain in a first-place tie with Rochester in the conference standings and snap a four-game losing skid to NYU.
The Bears came up clutch several times on both ends of the floor throughout the fourth period, holding NYU to just 3-13 from the field, while shooting 58 percent from the floor as a team. WashU trailed by as much as 11 (49-38) with under nine minutes to play, but rallied back into the game with a huge 14-3 run to reduce the lead down to just 53-52 with under three minutes left.
In total, WashU outscored NYU 19-10 in the fourth quarter and 35-25 in the second half.
A massive three from the left corner from Naomi Jackson gave the Bears the lead at 55-54 with 1:25 to play, but NYU reclaimed the lead with a minute to play following a pair of free throws.
Down the stretch, the Bears would go the foul line twice in the final minute.
Sammi Matoush sank a clutch free throw to even the score at 56-56 with 40 seconds left, and then after Jessica Brooks drew a foul in the lane with 4.5 to play, would hit one of two free throws to put WU ahead 57-56.
On the ensuing possession for NYU, the Violets fired off a three at the final buzzer but the shot landed short, securing the victory for the Bears, who then celebrated as a team at half court.
Brooks and Brenna Loftus combined for 13 of the Bears' 19 points in the final frame as WashU won the rebounding margin 38-32 on Sunday and scored eight points off turnovers.
Brooks powered the Bears offense with a fantastic performance. Coming off a double-double from Friday evening, she recorded 23 points and nine rebounds in Sunday's win over the top-ranked Violets.
Brenna Loftus posted nine points and six rebounds, while Naomi Jackson also registered nine points and knocked down three three-pointers.
Nailah McBeth added six points and seven rebounds and Sammi Matoush collected six points and five rebounds in the victory.
The Bears will next travel to CWRU on January 20 at 5:30 p.m. ET.
