ST. LOUIS, Mo. - Vying for the program's eighth-straight victory, the Washington University in St. Louis women's basketball took on the top-ranked, and undefeated, New York University Violets, Friday, February 16. The Violets registered strong first and fourth quarters to grab the 80-56 University Athletic Association victory. 

 

With the defeat, WashU's record now sits at 15-8 (8-4 UAA), while NYU's record remained unblemished at a perfect 23-0 (12-0 UAA). 

 

Senior Jessica Brooks spun a near double-double in the setback. Brooks recorded team-highs of 19 points and eight rebounds. Additionally, Brooks shot 8-of-17 from the field. 

 

First year Lexy Harris was credited with 11 points, five rebounds, two steals, and one block. 

 

Sophomore Jordan Rich secured six points, all on three-pointers. First year Catherine Goodwin and first year Sidney Starks each earned four points. 

 

As a team, WashU finished the contest shooting 22-for-55 (40.0%) from the field, 8-for-12 (66.7%) from the charity stripe (66.7%), and 4-for-15 (25.7%) from long range. 

 

The Violets grabbed the statistical advantages in points in the paint (54-32), points off turnovers (22-9), and fast break points (11-2). 

 

NYU started the contest on a 7-0 run, spanning the first three minutes of action. Harris got the Bears on the board as she connected on a jumper with 7:04 left in the opening frame. 

 

Later in the first quarter, Brooks and first year Sidney Rogers each drilled a bucket to put the score at 11-7, in favor of NYU. 

 

With 1:25 left in the first, Brooks stepped up to the line and sunk a pair of free throws to trim the deficit to four, 15-11. However, the Violets ended the period on a seven-point run to stake the 11-point, 22-11, lead after 10 minutes of action.  

 

After two buckets from NYU to open the second, WashU went on a small 4-0 run as the Violets held the 25-15 lead with 6:10 until half. 

 

The Violets responded with another 7-0 run to claim the 17-point, 32-15, cushion. Harris and Goodwin then connected on back-to-back layups to trim the deficit to 13, 32-19, with 3:01 remaining in the second. 

 

NYU outscored WashU 7-4 to conclude the first half. At the halftime intermission, the Violets held the 16-point, 39-23, advantage. 

 

Out of the halftime intermission, Rich buried a pair of threes to put NYU's lead to 10, 39-29. Midway through the third, the Violets manufactured another 7-0 run to snag the 17-point, 50-33, cushion with 3:32 left in the third. 

 

Before the third quarter buzzer, Brooks secured four points, while first year Amelia Rosin was credited with one point. Heading into the final stanza, NYU held the 16-point, 54-38, lead. 

 

The Violets came out of the huddle and recorded a 12-point run, spanning the first four minutes to expand their advantage to 29-, 67-38. 

 

WashU attempted to mount a comeback, but the potent top-ranked NYU defense thwarted the Bears' comeback efforts. The Violets took the contest by a final score of 80-56. 

 

The Bears will return to action on Sunday, February 18 as WashU will host Brandeis University in another UAA contest. Tip-off from the Field House is scheduled for 2 p.m. The game will serve as National Girls & Women in Sports Day.