The top-ranked New York University women's basketball team is off to its best start since the 1996-97 season after posting a 67-42 victory over the University of Chicago on Sunday, January 21, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

The Violets are now 16-0 overall and 5-0 in the University Athletic Association (UAA). The only other team in program history that began the season with a longer opening winning streak was the 1995-96 squad that began 20-0.

"Our chemistry continues to build even as we are challenged by some of these elite teams in the UAA," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "I thought we did a great job today following the game plan that the coaches put together."

Sunday's contest was tied 22-22 with 5:13 left in the second quarter. A pair of free throws by Belle Pellecchia ignited an 11-0 run as NYU held Chicago scoreless the rest of the quarter and led 33-22 at halftime.

The Maroons (10-6, 3-2) scored the first four points of the second half to pull within seven.

They inched even closer when Alexis Clark's basket made the score 38-33 with 4:10 left in the third quarter  

However, Megan Bauman's layup, a three-pointer by Eden Williamson, and a pair of free throws from Bruns re-established a 12-point lead.

The advantage grew to 14 points, 51-37, after three quarters. 

Pellecchia's driving bucket and subsequent three-pointer opened the fourth quarter, and NYU went on to take its biggest lead, 67-40, on Mary Kate Fahey's three-pointer with 1:36 left in the game.

History was also made by Natalie Bruns, whose blocked shot with 8:55 left in the first quarter was the 183rd of her career, setting a new program record. It broke the old mark of 182 set by Chantal Kazay, class of 2005.

Bruns added two more blocks to go with her 14 points, 11 rebounds and five assists.

"Natalie is one one of the most elite defensive players that NYU has ever seen," Barber explained. "Her teammates love playing with her. She is as selfless as they come."

Morgan Morrison led the Violets with 16 points. Pellecchia had 11, and Bauman finished with 10 points and five assists.

"We are such a defensive-minded team. That's part of our identity," Bruns said. "The history of NYU women's basketball means everything to me. This is something great to be part of."

The Violets return to action on Friday, January 26, when they host the University of Rochester in another UAA contest. That game is scheduled to tip-off at 5:30pm at the Paulson Center.