The undefeated NCAA Division III top-ranked New York University women's basketball team improved to a perfect 10-0 with an 87-63 win over host UC Santa Cruz in the opening round of the UC Santa Cruz Tournament on Friday, December 29, in Santa Cruz, CA.

The Violets, who hadn't played since a 91-46 win over Brooklyn College on December 12, never trailed in the contest.

Natalie Bruns' and-one gave NYU the lead for good at 7-4.

NYU increased its lead to as many as 10 points in the opening quarter and led 42-35 at halftime.

The Violets opened the third quarter with an 8-0 run and expanded its lead to 23 points, 69-46, heading into the fourth.

NYU's advantage grew to a game-high 28 points, 80-52, on Mary Kate Fahey's layup with 5:04 remaining, and the Violets never led by less than 22 the rest of the way. 

"This was a great way to come back from a long layoff and find our toughness and defense against a tough Santa Cruz team," said Head Coach Meg Barber.

Belle Pellecchia led the way with 15 points as the Violets shot 54.5 percent (36-of-66) from the field while holding the Banana Slugs to 37 percent (20-of-54).

Bruns finished with 13 points and Fahey had 12 as 14 players scored at least two points for NYU.

Morgan Morrison had a team-high six rebounds, while Pellecchia led the Violets with four assists. 

The Violets are back on the court tomorrow when they face the University of Wisconsin-Platteville in their second game of the UC Santa Cruz Tournament. Tip-off is scheduled for 1:00pm pacific time.