NYU 68 Brandeis 50

The New York University women's basketball team won its 20th game of the season, defeating Brandeis University 68-50 in the University Athletic Association (UAA) season finale for both squads on Sunday, March 2, in Waltham, MA.

The Violets (20-5, 9-5 UAA) led from beginning to end as they secured a 20-win season for the first time since the team won 23 games in 2008-09.

Kaitlyn Read kicked off the scoring with a three-pointer to spark an 11-3 game-opening run for NYU, and Brandeis (13-12, 7-7) never recovered.

The Violets led 31-17 at halftime and opened their biggest lead of the contest, 38-19, on Amy Harioka's three-pointer with 15:44 remaining.

The Judges managed to creep within 11, 38-27, with 14:31 left.

However, a spree of three-pointers, two each from Maya Wasowicz and Harioka, reversed the momentum and the Violets were never seriously threatened the rest of the way.

"It was a great team effort ," said NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "The players were focused and engaged all week long, and it really paid off on defense today. I'm very proud of this team."

The Violets, who finished in a tie with the University of Chicago for second place in the UAA, now await word on a potential postseason berth.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Read's 11 points lead a balanced scoring attack for the Violets. NYU's UAA Rookie of the Year candidate also had seven rebounds, three steals and two assists.

- Riley Wurtz was NYU's only other double-digit scorer. She finished with 10 points.

- Harioka, Wasowicz and Lindsey Oldshue each had nine points, while Megan Dawe and Alexis Doherty each contributed eight points.

- Melissa Peng had a game-high five assists and tied Read for team-high honors with seven rebounds.

- Paris Hodges and Niki Laskaris each had 10 points for Brandeis.