The third-ranked New York University women's basketball team opened its 2022-23 season with a 101-58 victory over Alvernia University in the first round of the NYU Tip-Off Classic, which is being held at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility on Saturday ad Sunday, November 12-13.

NYU scored the first nine points of the game and was in control throughout.

"It's always great to get the first game out of the way with a win," said Head Coach Meg Barber.

After Alvernia's first bucket, the Violets scored the next six points and never led by less than double digits the rest of the way.

NYU was ahead 24-10 after the first quarter and went up by as many as 24 in the second before settling for a 45-25 halftime lead.

The Violets increased their lead to as many as 34 points in the third quarter and went into the fourth ahead 73-42.

Honor Culpepper's three-pointer in the final minute ended the scoring and gave NYU its biggest lead of the evening. 

"I thought our bench play was really outstanding, and Honor highlighted our offense in the second half," Barber added.

Freshman Caroline Peper led the way with 14 points in her collegiate debut. Last season's University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Year, senior Jenny Walker, scored 13 points and had a game-high eight rebounds. Natalie Bruns finished with 11 points to go with five rebounds, three assists, two blocks, and two steals.

Mary Kate Fahey contributed a team-best six assists. Erica Miller and Chloe Teter each recorded four steals as the Violets forced 32 turnovers.  

Overall, 13 different players scored for NYU.

"We have work to do, but it was fun to get a team victory and now we get ready for the next one," Barber said. 

The Violets return to the court tomorrow when they will face Haverford College in their second game of the Tip-Off Classic. That matchup is scheduled to begin at 3:00pm.