Last week, the New York University Women's Basketball team clinched at least a share of the University Athletic Association (UAA) title and tonight it became official as the Violets (20-1, 11-1) defeated Washington University (MO), 63-45, at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, NY.

"I'm just beyond proud of this group," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "They have shown resiliency all season, especially tonight after a slower first half and responding with a championship effort to clinch the UAA. This championship represents not only this team, but all that have come before us in our NYU Women's Basketball family."

NYU clinched the UAA crown for the first time since 2007—when the team advanced to the Final Four—and is currently ranked #7 nationally by the WBCA (Women's Basketball Coaches Association), #8 by D3hoops.com, and #1 in NCAA Region IV as the postseason looms. 

It's the first outright UAA title for the Violets since capturing the NCAA Division III National Championship in 1997 (in 2007 NYU and WashU shared the crown). Winning the UAA title in 2022 also means an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Tournament. 

A low-scoring yet fast-paced first quarter saw the Violets take a 12-8 lead at the buzzer when Brooklyn Shelton grabbed an offensive board off a missed free throw and finish a layup as time expired.

The Violets' advantage grew to 11 in the second after Belle Pellecchia hit a jumper with 6:33 on the clock. WashU then closed the quarter on an 11-2 run, cutting its deficit to 22-19 at the break.

NYU—a strong third quarter team all season—ran away with this one after halftime, outscoring the Bears 24-11 in the period as Erica Miller hit three of her five trifectas in the third. The Violets led 46-30 entering the fourth and continued their torrid pace, connecting on 7-of-11 field goals in the final frame to secure their sixth straight victory and first place in the Association.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

• Miller finished with a game-high 15 points on 5-of-9 long-range shooting. Her five three-pointers matched her career high.
• Pellecchia added 12 points (5-of-10 FG, 2-of-2 3PT), eight boards, six steals and three assists. This was her third game of the season with six-plus steals.
• Natalie Bruns scored 12 points of her own (5-of-10 FG), along with nine rebounds, five blocks and a career-high four steals. She notched her ninth multi-block game of the season and third of at least five.
• Jordan Janowski contributed nine points, all coming in the second half, and dished out a game-high four assists.
• Jenny Walker pulled down a game-high 13 boards to go with her seven points.
• Samantha Weaver was the only Bear in double-figures (12 points) as NYU held the visitors to 28.8 percent field-goal shooting and a 1-of-15 mark from deep.

NEXT UP
The Violets look to make it seven consecutive wins when they host Unviersity of Chicago on Sunday, February 20, back at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.