Women's Hoops Turned Back by Brandeis in UAA Opener, 73-68

Violets Nearly Overcome Double-Digit Deficit; Carmen, Kilmurray Score 14 Each

Grace Carmen scored nine of her 14 points after halftime.

In the University Athletic Association (UAA) opener for both squads, Brandeis University staved off a spirited New York University second-half comeback en route to recording a 73-68 women's basketball triumph Saturday afternoon at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.

Jessica Chapin led four double-digit scorers with 25 points for Brandeis (8-3), while Grace Carmen and Chrissy Kilmurray tallied 14 apiece for the Violets (7-4). Kilmurray also grabbed a team-high seven boards for NYU.

After trailing by as many as 13 in the first half, Erica Franke canned both ends of a one-and-one to help the Violets forge a 57-57 tie with 5:31 remaining. This capped a 24-13 run as NYU trailed 44-33 with 15:56 to go.

However, the Judges scored on their next five trips downcourt en route to securing a 69-62 lead with 2:40 left: back-to-back three-pointers by Chapin, a two-time All-UAA performer; a pair of short buckets by Amber Strodthoff (17 points, 8 rebounds, 6-8 FG, 5-5 FT) and two free throws from the hands of Kasey Gieschen (12 points, 10 boards).

A pair of deep threes from Chelsea Blake (9 points) and Kilmurray got the Violets within 71-68. After a turnover and a missed front end of a one-and-one by the Judges on consecutive possessions, NYU saw three potential game-tying, three-point attempts fall short. Diana Cincotta drained two free throws with 8.0 seconds remaining to ice the victory for the visitors.

Overall, the Judges owned a 52-38 rebounding edge, a 32-20 lead in points in the paint and a 15-10 advantage in second-change points.

Perhaps the biggest edge Brandeis exploited in the first half despite wayward shooting by both squads -- the Judges hit 31.3% (10-for-32) of its first-half shots and went 1-for-8 from three-point range, NYU converted just 27.0% (10-for-37) of its attempts and converted just two of its 15 three-point tries -- was sound free-throw shooting. Prior to the break, they went 13-for-15 from the charity stripe and finished 21-for-26 overall (80.8%).

Conversely, NYU went just 14-for-20 (70.0%) from the free-throw stripe.

Brandeis reeled off a 19-6 run by going 7-for-9 at the line, including three makes by Strodthoff after she was fouled while trying a three-pointer. Meanwhile, the Judges held the Violets scoreless for a span of 7:07 before Franke converted a short jumper 4:41 prior to halftime.

Eventually, NYU found its offensive footing and trailed just 34-27 after 20 minutes as Kilmurray produced six of her 11 first-half tallies in the final 4:06 before intermission.

Emily Foshag finished with 10 points for NYU, which shot 32.9% (23-for-70) overall and just 23.5% (8-for-34). The Violets capitalize upon 22 Brandeis turnovers, converting them into 30 points.

Morgan Kendrew rounded out the Judges' quartet of double-digit scorers with 11 points. She also snared eight rebounds.

Prior to resuming its UAA schedule for the remainder of the regular season, NYU will play its final non-conference contest Monday, Jan. 11, at the College of Staten Island. Tip-off time is 5 p.m.