Box Score
Sparked by strong efforts off the bench by Gena Brown and Christine Kilmurray, nationally ranked New York University downed Emory University, 71-60, in a University Athletic Association (UAA) women's basketball contest Sunday afternoon at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
Kilmurray finished with 10 points (4-for-5 FG) and four rebounds in 12 minutes, while Brown recorded 11 tallies and a personal-best five steals as the Violets (20-4, 9-4 UAA) assured themselves of their 18th 20-win season in the last 25 years.
Brown and Kilmurray each produced their second consecutive double-figure scoring output as the NYU reserves scored 25 points. Meanwhile, Brown's play on the defensive end helped the Violets own a 25-12 advantage in points off turnovers.
"Both of them have been letting the game come to them," NYU interim head coach Stefano Trompeo said. "They both played more relaxed. When you play more relaxed, you play better."
Grace Carmen and Jessica McEntee each led four double-digit scorers with 16 points for the Violets, ranked #19 in the USA Today ESPN Division III Coaches Poll and #22 by D3Hoops.com
Sparked again by tenacious inside play and a strong transition game, the Violets shot 61.9% (13-for-21) en route to taking a 42-32 lead after the first 20 minutes. McEntee led all first-half scorers with 10 points as NYU owned a 16-8 edge on points in the paint, while Brown and Carmen each produced seven points as the team turned 10 Emory turnovers into 15 points.
NYU led by as many as 16 points in the second half, before Emory (12-12, 3-10 UAA pulled within 66-60 after a three-pointer by Jenny Kraus (12 points) with 1:03 left. From there, the Violets relied on their touch at the charity stripe as McEntee went 3-for-4 and Carmen hit both of her tries in the final minute. McEntee went 10-for-12 from the line as NYU took 32 free throws, hitting 22 of them for a 68.8% conversion rate.
Overall, the Violets shot 45.8% (22-for-48), including 31.3% (5-for-13) on their three-point tries. They owned a 39-34 edge in rebounding.
LeShond Lillard led Emory with 13 points, while Lora Turner tallied 10 points and snared 11 rebounds. The Eagles shot 36.5% (23-for-63), including 33.3% (6-for-18) from long range, and hit 61.5% (8-for-13) of their free throws. They also committed 16 turnovers.
NYU will conclude its regular season Saturday, Feb. 28, with a 2 p.m. home tilt against UAA rival Brandeis University. Prior to the contest, the Violets will honor their five seniors: Brown, McEntee, Megan Fox, Sarah McDevitt, and Chelsea Seabron.
