Box Score

The New York University women's basketball team dug itself a big hole early and could not climb out, falling 64-50 at 11th-ranked University of Rochester on Sunday, February 12, in Rochester, NY.
 
The Violets (10-12, 2-9) scored on their first two possessions but were then held off the board for over seven minutes. During that time, the Yellowjackets (19-3, 8-3) scored 14 unanswered points on 6-10 shooting to build a 16-4 lead 6:54 into the contest.
 
The two University Athletic Association (UAA) foes played mostly even from there, with NYU getting as close as eight twice in the second half before Rochester pulled away.
 
“Playing a great team on the road in the UAA is hard enough, but to dig a hole like that is tough to overcome, especially when you're not shooting well,” said Violet head coach Stefano Trompeo.
 
NYU finally snapped its long scoreless drought with a pair of Melissa Peng free throws, but Rochester's lead hovered between nine and 14 the rest of the half. The Yellowjackets eventually took a 32-20 lead into the locker room, shooting 55.6% (15-27) from the field in the period.
 
Rochester's lead was at 14 early in the second half when the Violets started clawing back, first with a 6-0 run. Shelby Coon fed Makenzie Hirz for a jumper to start the spurt. Bianca Storts then made a steal and finished at the other end, and Coon capped the run with a layup, making it 40-32 with 12:44 to play.
 
The Yellowjackets worked their lead back up to 12 before Coon and Storts hit layups to again make it an eight-point game. But trailing 48-40 with 7:15 left, NYU could not get any closer as Rochester began to pull away. The Yellowjackets' lead eventually swelled to as high as 19.
 
“When we cut it to eight, I was feeling a clear momentum shift,” commented Trompeo. “But Rochester responded well out of the timeout and finished it off. We had some success inside, but we couldn't build off it enough.”
 
Coon and Alexis Doherty each scored 10 points for the Violets – with both scoring all of their points in the second half. Coon added seven rebounds, while Storts pulled down a game- and career-high 11 boards. Hirz and Cara Bonito contributed eight points apiece.
 
A total of 12 Yellowjackets scored, with none reaching double figures in a balanced offensive attack. Kristyn Wright led the team with nine points, while Jackie Walker had eight points and six rebounds. Laney Ming and Ally Zywicki each doled out four assists.
 
NYU returns to the court on Friday, Feb. 17, for a Tear It Up! contest at the Coles Sports Center against #2 University of Chicago. Tip-off is at 6:00 pm.