For the first time since 2009, the New York University women's basketball team is in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Division III Women's Basketball Tournament. NYU defeated Bates College, 76-54, in front of another sellout crowd at St. Francis College in Brooklyn as five Violets scored in double figures.

Hosting the first and second rounds, NYU won each game by double-figures, pushing its record to 24-1 and picking up its 10th straight victory. The Violets' defense smothered Bates all night, limiting the Bobcats to 29.3 percent shooting from the floor and 19.0 percent from long-range.

Bates trailed 6-2 early in the first but countered with a 7-2 spurt to take a one-point advantage on a Brianna Gadaleta layup. NYU reclaimed the lead on its next possession, holding a slim edge for the next three minutes until Meghan Graff hit a three to tie things at 18 with 2:02 on the clock. The Violets closed the quarter on a 4-0 mini run to lead 22-18 entering the second.

The Bobcats kept it close to begin quarter number two, but NYU mounted a 13-2 run over the final 5:37 of the frame for a 42-26 halftime lead.

Bates outscored the Violets 19-18 in the third and came within 13 points twice late in the quarter, but NYU still held a sizable advantage (60-45) after three periods. 

NYU held Bates to less than 16 percent shooting in the fourth to close out the lopsided victory and punch its ticket to the second weekend of the tourney. Following the University of Scranton's win tonight over Babson College, NYU will take on the Royals in the Sweet 16.

POST-GAME PRESS CONFERENCE:

 

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN:

• Natalie Bruns recorded her second straight double-double, finishing with a game-high-tying 14 points, 12 rebounds, six blocks, and two steals. She's posted three-or-more blocks in six straight games, twice swatting six shots in that span.
• Belle Pellecchia nearly missed a double-double of her own, putting up 13 points, nine rebounds, two assists and a pair of steals.
• Jenny Walker also had 13 points (6-of-12 FG), along with seven rebounds, six blocks of her own, and two steals. She and Bruns combined for 20 blocks over the Tournament's opening weekend.
• Brooklyn Shelton was a 13-point scorer as well, shooting an efficient 6-of-9 from the floor.
• Jordan Janowski chipped in 10 points, four boards, two assists, and a steal.
• The Violets totaled 48 points in the paint to Bates' 22. NYU also scored 20 fastbreak points and forced 17 Bobcat turnovers.

NEXT UP:
The Sweet 16. NYU will face off against the University of Scranton on Friday, March 11, at a site and time to-be-announced.