The New York University women's basketball team moved to 4-0 on the young season with a 72-54 win at Baruch College on Wednesday, November 25, in Manhattan.
The Violets, currently ranked #5 by
D3hoops.com and #6 by the
USA Today, faced a tight matchup from the get-go. In the first quarter alone, the two teams exchanged leads eight times, which induced an early timeout from NYU's bench.
"I think we are learning to play with a target on our backs," explained Head Coach
Lauren Hall-Gregory. "The pressure got to us a little bit in that first quarter. A lot of credit goes to Baruch. They came ready to play."
Junior captain
Lindsey Oldshue's jumper to begin the second quarter broke a 19-19 tie and gave NYU a lead it never relinquished. Senior captain
Megan Dawe scored 12 of her 18 points in the second quarter to cement the Violet lead.
"It took us the first quarter to figure out their style of play," said Dawe. "We came in a little anxious. After that first quarter, we were able to relax and settle into our offense. We opened up the floor, giving me the opportunity to take advantage down low."
NYU increased its lead to 10 points by halftime and from there on did not allow their lead to go below double-digits. The Violets proceded to go on an 8-0 run in the third quarter sparked by a free throw from senior
Riley Wurtz to increase the lead to 17.
The Bearcats cut their deficit to 11 after a layup by center Jacqueline Kennedy with 9:39 remaining in the game, but were never able to bring the score any closer.
Dawe also added 10 rebounds and a block to produce her first double-double of the season. Junior
Kaitlyn Read also had a double-double, falling short of a triple-double, as she had 10 points, 10 rebounds and seven steals.
Veronica Ganzi had a game-high 20 points for Baruch. Kennedy produced her own double-double with 13 points, 13 boards and six blocks.
"Any win is a good win," stated Hall-Gregory. "We have to trust ourselves. You take it and move on from it, but our next opponent is John Hopkins and we will be ready for them on Saturday."
HIGHLIGHTS:- Junior captain
Maya Wasowicz totaled 10 points and also had two steals.
- Wurtz contributed eight rebounds and a team-high six assists.
- All 15 of Baruch's points in the third quarter were made from the three-point line.
"We are just trying to take one game at a time," said Hall-Gregory. "I want them to hopefully spend time with friends and family and not think about basketball for a day for Thanksgiving."
The Violets return to action this Saturday, November 28, when they face Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD. Game time is set for 4:00 pm.
