This one was over from the start.

The NCAA Division III top-ranked New York University women's basketball team showed no rust after an 18-day layoff by dismantling Stockton University 85-27 in an opening round game of the NYU Holiday Classic.

Returning to the court on Thursday for the first time since December 11, the 9-0 Violets scored the first 18 points of the game. They went on to lead 21-2 at the end of the first quarter and 49-4 at halftime.

"Our players did what they needed to do during the break to be the same team we were when we left our last game against Tufts," said Head Coach Meg Barber, referring to their December 11 victory in Medford, MA. 

The Violets shot 54.1% (20-of-37) from the field and 63.6% (7-of-11) from three-point range in the first half, while the Ospreys only connected on two of their 24 shots (8.3%). 

NYU increased its lead to 56 points, 68-12 after three quarters and then extended it to a game-high 64 points, 78-14, on Natalie Pence's layup with 5:17 remaining. 

Belle Pellecchia led the Violets with 14 points. Jenny Walker had 12 and Natalie Bruns finished with 11.

Pellechia and Hanna Thrainsdottir each had a team-high six rebounds.

"I'm just really impressed with the maturity and discipline of our group," Barber added. "Today it was 1 through 14 all contributing, and that's a lot of fun."

Stockton entered the game with an 8-2 record. 

The Violets return to action on Friday at 3:00pm when they face #26-ranked Bowdoin College in the second game of the NYU Holiday Classic at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility.