Sophomores, McEntee Lead #22 Violets Past SUNY New Paltz, 97-89

Bianca Storts enjoyed a happy homecoming after scoring a career-high 22 points.

Sophomores Emily Foshag and Bianca Storts combined for 38 points, and each player powered a big run in each half, as #22 New York University handed SUNY New Paltz a 97-89 defeat in non-conference women's basketball action Monday night in New Paltz, NY.

Foshag scored a career-high 16 points, including seven during a decisive 14-0, second-half surge, as the Violets improved to 6-0. Storts, playing minutes from her hometown of Poughkeepsie, NY, added a career-best 22, including eight straight during a 17-0 first-half outburst that helped NYU take a 50-35 halftime lead. She also had seven rebounds and four steals.

Senior All-American Jessica McEntee led the Violets with 31 points and 13 rebounds for her fourth double-double in five games this season. She finished 19-for-23 at the charity stripe, breaking her single-game school record for free-throw attempts. McEntee went 20-for-21 in an 87-82 win over New Paltz (3-2) on Dec. 1, 2007.

In the victory, the Violets produced their most points since a 104-59 victory over Alfred University on Nov. 18, 2006. It was the first time NYU topped the 90-point plateau since a 90-55 triumph over Worcester State College on Nov. 25, 2007.

"We knew coming in it would be a tough game," NYU interim head coach Stefano Trompeo said. "We knew New Paltz was going to play 40 minutes. I told them we would so some things well, but things wouldn't go perfectly."

Storts became a one-player show during a 17-0 surge midway through the first half, scoring eight straight points to help NYU take a 29-12 with 11:09 left in the opening stanza. Meanwhile, the Violet defense held SUNY New Paltz scoreless for 5:52 and forced 17 turnovers in the first 20 minutes.

Even so, the Hawks pulled within 53-49 with 15:29 remaining after beginning the second half on a 14-3 run.

Then Foshag hit a pair of threes, the second of which she got hit on the attempt and ultimately turned into a rare four-point play, then hit a lay-up to make it 67-49 in NYU's favor with 11:47 remaining.

"An unbelievable effort by both of them," Trompeo said of his sophomores. "B looked very, very relaxed offensively. She was able to catch and shoot without any stress. And her explosiveness helped her get to the basket.

"And 'Fo' has really worked hard on every aspect of her game," Trompeo continued. "Her aggressiveness getting to the basket has really improved a lot. We always knew she could shoot the '3' but her getting to the basket really helped us."

Artie Williams led five double-digit scorers for New Paltz with 27 points and nine rebounds. Carly Minehan had 14 points and eight rebounds, Maggie Farrell finished with 12 points and eight boards. Nicole Sarcone contributed 10 points, 11 assists and six rebounds, while Caitlin Irwin also scored 10 points.

NYU returns to action Saturday, Dec. 6, when it takes on the College of Staten Island as part of the Coaches vs. Classic at Lehman College in the Bronx, NY. Tip-off time is 1 p.m.