Box Score

For the second time in a week, the New York University women's basketball team held a second-half lead against Case Western Reserve University but could not hold on, falling 61-54 on Sunday, February 5, in Cleveland, OH.
 
After taking a 26-25 lead into the half, the Violets (10-10, 2-7) expanded their lead to start the second period. Makenzie Hirz and Bianca Storts hit back-to-back jumpers, giving NYU a 30-25 edge.
 
The lead was still five when the Spartans (12-8, 5-4) went on a 13-4 run to gain the advantage, 40-36 with 12:37 to play. A Storts free throw and Hirz jumper brought the Violets back to within one, and another Hirz layup with 7:32 to play made it 47-45 Case.
 
From there, though, the Spartans went on a 13-2 run to take the game over. Tana Bertino nearly brought the Violets back, hitting a pair of three-pointers in the final minute to make it a six-point game. But it was too little too late, as the Spartans hit a free throw and Bertino's last two three-point attempts were no good.
 
In the first half, Case opened up a 10-1 lead to start the game before NYU used a 16-3 spurt to take a four-point lead. An Erica Franke jumper and Whitney Hooper three-pointer put the lead at 24-18, but the Spartans scored seven of the final nine points of the half to enter the break trailing only by one.
 
The Violets then built their five-point second-half lead before Case took over en route to victory.
 
Hirz led all scorers with 15 points to go along with five rebounds. Bertino scored 13 points, while Storts finished with nine points, six boards and three steals.
 
Erin Hollinger posted a double-double for Case, totaling 14 points and 13 rebounds and adding three blocks. Chelsea Peck also notched a double-double with 12 points and 10 boards, while Erica Iafelice netted 13 points, all in the second half.
 
NYU returns to action on Friday when it travels to Emory University in Atlanta, GA. Tip-off is at 6:00 pm.