The New York University women's basketball team returned to the court for the first time in 26 days and fell to host Franklin & Marshall College 56-55 on Friday, December 30, in Lancaster, PA.

NYU, ranked #17 in the latest Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) Division III poll, dropped to 8-1 on the season and it marks the first time the squad has lost a regular season non-conference game in 43 chances.

"Anytime you lose it's disappointing, but I am proud of our players' efforts," said NYU Head Coach Lauren Hall-Gregory. "We had some players really rise to the occasion. But, at the end of the day, we missed too many layups and gave up too many offensive rebounds. Credit to Franklin & Marshall, they played a great game."

After a layup from Lauren Brown put the Violets ahead 55-53 with 43 seconds left, F&M (4-5) rallied to score the final three points of the game to earn the win. The Diplomats tied the game on a layup from Haley Pilone with 10 seconds remaining and stole the in-bounds pass. Lindsay Powers drew a foul with 1.7 seconds remaining and successfully hit her second free throw to give F&M the one-point victory.

The Violets struggled offensively throughout the contest, shooting just 22.9% (16-70) including just 12.0% (3-25) in the opening quarter. Brown was NYU's leading scorer with 14 points, 12 of which were scored after halftime.

Pilone led F&M with 14 points on 6-13 shooting. She was joined in double figures by Erica Brown and Lindsay Powers, who each scored 11 points. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

- The Violets were 20-23 (87.0%) from the foul line. Shaye McGoey and Lindsey Oldshue were both 4-4.

- Amy Harioka hit three three-pointers and scored 13 points. The senior captain also chipped in defensively with five of the Violets' 10 steals.

- Mikaela Pyatt earned her first start of the season, while Shaye McGoey was in the starting lineup for the first time in her career. 

"We are on to the next game," concluded Hall-Gregory. "Our job is to now prepare for Johns Hopkins."

The Violets will look to get back in the win column on Monday, January 2, when they host Johns Hopkins University. Tipoff is scheduled for 4:00pm at the Sportsplex in Manhattan.