#16/19 Women's Basketball Toppled by #2/3 Rochester in UAA Road Tilt

Christine Kilmurray posted her second career double-digit scoring effort.

Jessica McEntee's 12th double-double of the season provided New York University's biggest highlight as the Violets endured a 64-45 defeat against the University of Rochester in a clash of nationally ranked and University Athletic Association (UAA) rivals Friday night at the Louis Alexander Palestra in Rochester, NY.

McEntee finished with 15 points and 11 rebounds for her 47th career double-double, but was held to just two field goals on 12 attempts, her first conversion from the field coming with 9:01 remaining, for the Violets (17-4, 6-4 UAA), ranked #16 in the USA Today ESPN Division III Coaches Poll and #19 by D3Hoops.com. McEntee did go 10-for-12 from the charity stripe.

However, the Violets shot just 23.0% (14-for-61) and were done in by two big second half runs.

Ranked #2 by D3Hoops.com and #3 in the USA Today ESPN Division III Poll, Rochester (20-1, 9-1 UAA) remained in a tie with Washington University atop the UAA standings thanks to a game-high 19 points from Melissa Alwardt, another 11 from Jessica Mastronardi and 10 more from Julie Marriott.

Despite shooting a blustery 20.0% (6-for-30) before the break, the Violets only trailed 28-22 going into the locker room. NYU weathered an early 10-0 run by Rochester to pull within 16-15 after a Christine Kilmurray (10 points, 5 rebounds) free throw with 8:26 left in the half, then stayed within two points before Alwardt scored five of her half-high 11 tallies during a 5-1 surge that capped the opening stanza.

It became an 18-3 spurt after Rochester reeled off 13 of the first 14 points of the second period, making it 41-24 with 17:31 remaining. NYU eventually spun off 12 of the next 14 tallies, including six from Kilmurray, to get within 43-36 with 11:31 to go.

However, the Yellowjackets regained their composure and shooting form against Violet defense, getting points from five different players during a 15-3 outburst that helped Rochester seize a 58-41 advantage -- put the game out of reach.

Rochester shot 41.9% (26-for-62) from the floor, including 40.0% (6-for-15) from long range, while hitting six of its eight free throws. The Yellowjackets outrebounded NYU, 44-41, and outscored the Violets 28-14 on points in the paint.

NYU plays its final regular-season road game Sunday, Feb. 15, when it treks to Pittsburgh for a 2 p.m. tip-off against Carnegie Mellon University.