UNE 80 NYU 77

The New York University women's basketball team's stellar 2013-14 campaign came to an end on Friday night, March 7, in Medford, MA. The Violets fell to the University of New England 80-77 in the First Round of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament.

The Violets (20-6) finished the year with their best overall record since 2008-09, which was also the last time NYU earned a bid to the NCAA Tournament.

NYU and the Nor'easters (27-2) went back and forth all game long, with each squad trading runs constantly. Despite not leading since the 14:25 mark in the first half, the Violets stayed within reach throughout.

After trailing for most of the contest, NYU made a run with just under 10 minutes remaining and took a 54-52 lead with 9:41 left. Unfortunately, the Violets were unable to hold on to that lead and UNE came away with the victory.

"A lot of the credit goes to UNE," said second-year NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "They're a heck of a team and they just know how to win. Tonight they were the sharper team, but that doesn't take anything away from how we played and the great season we had. I'm extremely proud of the players on our team."

The Violets posted a 9-5 mark in University Athletic Association (UAA) play, good for a second-place finish. It was the team's best finish since the 2006-07 season. In addition, NYU had its best overall season in five years.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Freshman guard Kaitlyn Read led the Violets with a team-high 25 points. The First Team All-UAA selection also added five rebounds and four steals in 32 minutes.

'It was an extremely competitive game on all fronts from every player," said Read. "There was no one who didn't show up today."

- Fellow First Team selection sophomore forward Megan Dawe scored 15 points.

- Sophomore guard Riley Wurtz registered 14 points, three rebounds and three assists off the bench. Wurtz's 22 minutes were her most since January 19.

- Senior forward Alexis Doherty finished her collegiate career with a nine-point, seven-rebound performance.

"Being in the NCAA Tournament was an incredible experience," said Doherty. "I didn't want it to be my last game, but it is what it is. This was a once-in-a-lifetime experience and I'm happy to have been part of it."

- Freshman forward Lindsey Oldshue contributed six points, three steals, one block, and a team-best nine rebounds.