The New York University women's basketball team defeated SUNY New Paltz 70-60 on Tuesday, November 29, at the Sportsplex in Manhattan.

NYU, ranked #25 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) poll, turned an early 14-8 deficit into a 23-19 lead by the time the first quarter buzzer sounded. Shaye McGoey came off the bench to jumpstart the 15-5 run, scoring six points late in the frame.

New Paltz responded well, scoring the first 10 points of the second quarter to take a 29-23 lead. But, NYU senior captain Kaitlyn Read took over from there. She scored 12 points during a 19-5 NYU run as the Violets headed into the locker room ahead 42-34. 

"We try to dictate the pace of play and that definitely helped us at times tonight," said NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "Part of that revolves around getting up the floor quickly and rapid ball movement which helps us."

The second half was all about defense as both teams struggled to score. The squads combined for just 13 points in the third quarter and New Paltz closed the gap to 49-44 through three quarters.

NYU did not give up its lead in the second half, but the Hawks cut the margin to two points several times. An Amy Harioka three-pointer with 2:27 remaining brought the Violets' lead back up to eight and New Paltz did not get any closer.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

- Read, who totaled 18 points in the first half and had already recorded a double-double by the end of the third quarter, ended the contest just two assists shy of a triple-double. She finished with 22 points and 14 rebounds in 36 minutes. It was the 18th time in Read's career she scored 20 or more points.

- Lindsey Oldshue drained two first-quarter three-pointers. The senior captain finished the contest with seven points.

- McGoey tallied 11 points, her fourth-straight game in double figures.

"We are just taking it day-by-day and game-by-game," concluded Hall-Gregory. "It's a busy week for us with three games and a crucial academic period for our student-athletes. But, I'm confident they'll work hard and get through it successfully."

NYU returns to action Thursday when it hosts Brooklyn College at the Sportsplex in Manhattan. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00pm.