Jessica McEntee contributed 26 points (9-for-19 FG, 8-for-12 FT) and nine rebounds in 39 minutes, helping nationally ranked New York University hold on for a 66-59 victory at Emory University in a University Athletic Association (UAA) women's basketball game Friday night at the Woodruff PE Center in Atlanta.
Ranked #11 in the USA Today ESPN Division III Coaches Poll and #12 by D3Hoops.com, the Violets (14-1, 3-1 UAA) led by as many as 16 in the second half before the Eagles (9-6, 0-4 UAA) pulled within 64-59 with 51.3 seconds remaining after a basket by Whitney Martin.
However, Emily Foshag and Chelsea Blake each went 1-for-2 from the free-throw line in the final 26.5 seconds to help NYU ice its third consecutive victory.
Following a first half that saw the Violets seemingly claim control, Emory held their nationally ranked opposition scoreless for 5:10 while climbing to within 51-43. Megan Fox (3 points, career-high-tying 12 rebounds) hit a pair of free throws with 7:19 remaining, McEntee converted lay-ups on consecutive trips downcourt and Foshag swished a three-pointer to increase the NYU lead back to 57-45 with 6:13 remaining.
"Luckily we had enough of a big cushion and got enough big shots from Jess and Foshag," NYU interim head coach Stefano Trompeo said.
A 14-5 run featuring contributions from six different scorers helped Emory make things interesting in the final minute. But, Foshag and Blake helped hold on for another victory.
After a bucket by LeShonda Lillard forged a 14-14 tie with 11:32 remaining in the half,
Jen Hum-Traverso (8 points) tallied six straight points to spark an 8-0 surge that gave the Violets a 22-14 lead 8:49 before the break. Meanwhile, McEntee scored nine of her 13 first-half points during what ultimately became a 23-8, half-ending run that enabled NYU to take a 37-22 cushion into the locker room.
Most of the Violets' success came because of their defensive tenacity. They allowed just two Emory field goals over the final 11:32 of the first half, including a stretch of 8:40 without allowing a two-point basket. Overall, NYU limited the Eagles to 24.2% (8-for-33) shooting, including 0-for-12 from beyond the three-point arc, and scored 18 points off 12 turnovers.
"When you play on the road, you have to try to match or exceed the intensity level of your opponent," Trompeo said. "Winning on the road is crucial. To come out the way we did and to execute the way we did was tremendous."
Grace Carmen finished with 11 points and a career-best eight rebounds for NYU, which shot 37.9% (22-for-58) from the floor and 65.4% (17-for-26) from the charity stripe while owning a 48-42 rebounding advantage.
Lora Turner finished with 20 points and eight rebounds for the Eagles, which shot 33.3% (23-for-69) overall but hit just one of its 21 three-point attempts (4.8%). NYU has now held 14 of its 15 opponents below 60 points and beneath 40.0% shooting.
NYU will complete its UAA road swing Sunday, Jan. 25, when it travels to Cleveland to face Case Western Reserve University in a 2 p.m. contest.
