NEW YORK, N.Y. - The RV Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball team continued University Athletic Association play with a tough road contest against top-ranked New York University, Friday, January 19. WashU's defense surrendered the second-fewest points that the potent NYU offense has scored all season (season low is 54) in a close, 67-56, defeat.  

 

With the setback, WashU's record sits at 8-7 (1-3 UAA), while NYU's record remains unblemished with a perfect 15-0 (4-0 UAA) clip. 

 

Senior Jessica Brooks earned a game-high 23 points in the Big Apple. Brooks hauled in a team-high six boards and finished the contest shooting 9-for-15 from the floor. 

 

First year Sydney Starks added eight points and four rebounds.  

 

Junior Brenna Loftus secured seven points and three rebounds, while first year Lexy Harris finished with six points. 

 

As a team, the Bears shot 22-for-52 from the field (42.3%), 6-for-20 from long range (30.0%), and 6-for-9 from the charity stripe (66.7%). 

 

WashU's defense caused 18 Violet turnovers and was credited with nine steals. As a team, NYU shot 44.1% (26-for-59) from the floor. 

 

NYU held the commanding 12-0 advantage in fast break points. 

 

The Violets started the contest on a 14-0 run. Harris connected on a layup to open the scoring for the Bears with 3:23 left in the opening period. After 10 minutes of play, NYU held the 13- point, 17-4, cushion. 

 

In the second stanza, first year Catherine Goodwin knocked down a triple to trim the deficit to 12, 19-7, with 8:29 left in the second. The Bears strung together back-to-back baskets as sophomore Nailah McBeth and first year Alyssa Hughes each drilled a jumper to put the score at 23-11, in favor of NYU. 

 

With two seconds remaining on the clock until the half, Starks secured a three as the Violets took the 13-point, 27-14, lead into the break. 

 

In the middle of the third quarter, WashU's offense found its stride by assembling a 13-point run to trim the deficit to just six, 43-37, with 1:52 left in the quarter. The Bears held NYU scoreless for over five minutes in the run. 

 

The run was highlighted by seven points from Brooks, while Starks and sophomore Jordan Rich each buried a long ball in the run. However, NYU ended the run with a layup to end the third quarter. After 30 minutes of play, the Violets held the eight point, 45-37, cushion. 

 

NYU started the fourth quarter on an eight-point run to open up the 16 point, 53-37, lead. The Bears, attempting to mount a comeback, ended the game with a nine-point run. Brooks secured all nine points in the run. However, WashU's comeback attempt fell just short as NYU held on to defeat the Bears by a final score of 67-56. 

 

The Bears will remain on the east coast for the program's next UAA game. WashU is set to take on Brandeis University, Sunday, January 21. Tip-off from Boston, Mass. is slated for 2 p.m. ET.