With Brooklyn Shelton (Botetourt, VA/Lord Botetourt) lighting up the Brooklyn Athletic Facility court and three of her teammates scoring in double figures, the New York University Women's Basketball Team remained undefeated (5-0) with an 84-64 victory over Vassar College on Tuesday, November 23.  

Shelton posted season-highs of 20 points (on an efficient 9-of-14 shooting) and six rebounds, while also dishing out a career-high seven assists.   

"I was driving into them, trying to draw fouls. Just finishing easy layups," Shelton explained. "We had really good teamwork tonight. We were looking for the extra pass. I was looking for Erica (Miller) and our other outside shooters to open the floor. 

The Brewers (0-5) led by three points midway through the first quarter, but the Violets scored the next 11 and never trailed again.

The NYU lead rose to 12 points, 39-27, at halftime.

Vassar cut its deficit to eight points on several occasions in the third quarter, but Shelton's layup established a 17-point lead, 61-44, with just over a minute to go.

The Violets maintained the 17-point lead into the final quarter (63-46), and extended it to a game-high 26 points, 78-52, on Meghan McLaughlin's (Mount Laurel, NJ/Bishop Eustace Prep) free throw with 3:42 remaining in the contest.

"It was an interior focus for us today," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "We scored 48 points in the paint and we had 27 offensive rebounds, so those numbers are hard to compete with."

Jenny Walker (Sausalito, CA/Redwood) (16 points, 14 rebounds) and Belle Pellecchia (Randolph, NJ/Rutgers Prepatory) (18 points, 12 rebounds) each recorded double-doubles for NYU, while Miller was also a double-digit scorer with 10 points.

Earlier in the day, the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association) Top-25 Rankings (PDF) were revealed with NYU taking the #18 spot.

"I didn't know that," Barber laughed. "We're such a unique team with the depth that we have and the variety of ways we can beat teams. I think we're a tough out, but we have a long way to go."

The next test comes on Sunday, November 28, when the Violets host Cabrini University. Tip-off at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility is set for 2:00pm.

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!