NYU 72 Springfield 61

The New York University women's basketball team earned a hard-fought victory to take the 2013 NYU Tip-Off Tounament Championship on Saturday night, November 16, at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan. The Violets defeated Springfield College 72-61.

NYU trailed the Pride multiple times throughout the contest, but kept finding ways to get back into the game. The Violets ultimately jumped out to a late lead that they would never surrender. Leading the Violets to that victory was freshman guard, and Tournament MVP, Kaitlyn Read. The University Park, TX, native poured in a game-high 23 points, none more important than her three-pointer down the stretch, in addition to notching eight steals and four rebounds.

Helping out Read en route to the Violets' victory were forwards sophomore Megan Dawe and freshman Lindsey Oldshue, both of whom were named to the All-Tournament Team. Dawe, who had 10 points and six rebounds in NYU's first-round victory over St. Joseph's College-Brooklyn, continued her top-notch play by scoring 15 and grabbing eight boards against the Pride. Oldshue had a career night in just her second game as a collegian, recording her first double-double with 13 points and 17 rebounds.

Rounding out the All-Tournament team were Lisa Galasso from the College of Staten Island -- she scored 23 points and had five assists in the Dolphins' third-place victory over St. Joseph's -- and two players, Jaimie Bickelhaupt and Heather Lewis, from Springfield. Bickelhaupt scored 15 points with four rebounds and three steals in the title game, while Lewis had 10 points and six rebounds. Lewis scored a career-high 22 points in Springfield's first-round win over Staten Island.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Freshman guard Amy Harioka also helped NYU to its victory, nailing a couple of huge three-pointers down the stretch. The Danville, CA, native scored 11 points along with two rebounds and two steals.

- Junior guard Melissa Peng scored six points, while recording two steals and dishing out six assits.

- Springfield's Ava Adamopolous also played well, scoring 12 points while pulling down nine boards and blocking three shots.

The Violets will take a few days rest before getting back on the court on Wednesday night, November 20, when they host Manhattanville College at the Coles Sports Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. and live stats and video will be available at gonyuathletics.com.