New York University's women's basketball team is back in the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament for the second straight season, playing at a sectional hosted by Transylvania University in Lexington, KY, on Friday and Saturday, March 10 and 11.

The Violets, who entered the Tournament ranked sixth in the nation by D3hoops.com, seventh by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association (WBCA) and first in the NCAA's Region IV rankings, will take on 14th-ranked Trine University on Friday at 4:30 p.m. Doors open at 3:30 p.m. and tickets will be sold at the gate with both cash and credit card accepted.

NYU defeated Greensboro College, 71-54, in the opening round of the Tournament behind a career-high 29 points from University Athletic Association (UAA) Player of the Year Natalie Bruns. Bruns added 15 rebounds, four blocks, two steals and an assist to help the Violets advance. The First Team All-UAA honoree has set NYU's single-season (74+) and single-game (10) program records in blocks this year.

In the second round, NYU downed opening-weekend host and 11th-ranked Messiah University 62-41 to secure a spot in the Sweet 16. Senior forward Jenny Walker led the way in that one, producing 22 points and nine rebounds while UAA Defensive Player of the Year Belle Pellecchia notched a 14-point, 11-rebound double-double with a pair of steals.

Friday evening's matchup will be the first-ever meeting between NYU and Trine. The Thunder received an at-large bid to the Tournament after finishing 14-2 in the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA). 

The Violets reached the postseason by winning their second consecutive UAA title and are in the midst of their third straight 20-win season. NYU swept the UAA's end-of-year player awards as Bruns earned Player of the Year, Pellecchia won her second straight Defensive Player of the Year honor and Caroline Peper took home Rookie of the Year. Bruns was a First Team All-UAA selection while Pellecchia and Walker were named to the Second Team.

Last year, NYU advanced to the Elite Eight of the Tournament before falling to Hope College in the sectional final. The Violets have made the Elite Eight six times in program history and this is their 14th Sweet 16 appearance.

After NYU takes on Trine, host and second-ranked Transylvania will play 16th-ranked Ohio Northern University at 7:00 p.m. The winners of each game then prep for an Elite Eight clash on Saturday at 6:30 p.m.

Follow all of the action via live video streaming and live stats throughout the weekend.