The New York University women's basketball team traveled to Middletown, CT, and defeated host Wesleyan University 93-91 in overtime on Sunday, December 1.

The Violets (6-1) got off to a quick start in the contest jumping out to a 10-4 lead. However, Wesleyan (6-1) scored the next six points to tie the game 10-10. A three-ball from Lauren Koyama (Palo Alto, CA/Palo Alto) and a layup from Jenny Walker (Sausalito, CA/Redwood) added five for NYU, but Wesleyan scored nine straight and led 19-15 after the first quarter.

In the second quarter Brooklyn Shelton's (Botetourt, VA/Lord Botetourt) three-pointer and pair of free throws brought the Violets within two, 25-23. But Wesleyan went on 14-4 run to close out the half and take a 39-27 lead at the break.

"I thought they were a well-coached tough team," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "Our team showed a lot of resilience heading into the half." 
 
Wesleyan still led 62-54 at the end of the third quarter, but in the final quarter the Violets' offense got hot. Koyama hit a long three to bring NYU within two, 69-67. The Violets still trailed by two when Janean Cuffee (New York, NY/The Lawrenceville School) calmly hit two free throws with three ticks left to send the game into overtime at 81-81.

Cuffee started overtime with a three-pointer and Koyama added two free throws to put NYU up, 86-81. The home team battled back, but it wasn't enough as NYU delivered Wesleyan its first loss of the season.

"What it shows is that we learned things from our loss at Cabrini," added Barber. "We won this game on defensive stops and beating them to loose balls. Plays like that are what you need to win on the road."

Cuffee led NYU with 32 points. Shelton and Koyama chipped in with 17 points each, while Annie Barrett (Cambridge, MA/Buckingham Browne & Nichols) tallied a team-high 10 rebounds.

The Violets return to the court Saturday, December 7, when they host St. John Fisher at the Sportsplex. Tip-off is scheduled for 1 pm.