The undefeated New York University women's basketball team raised its 2024-25 record to 9-0 with a 73-49 win over visiting Middlebury College on Sunday, December 29, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

The #1-ranked (D3hoops.com) Violets never trailed in the contest, notching their 40th-straight win, the longest current streak in any NCAA Division, men or women.

Belle Pellecchia filled up the box score for the Violets, finishing with 20 points, a career-high eight steals, five assists, and two rebounds in 23 minutes. She shot 9-of-11 from the field and made one of her two three-point attempts.

"Anyone on our team can have a 20-point night at any time," Pellecchia said. "The key was getting stops and then creating offense."

NYU built a 14-point lead after the first quarter, 27-13, and increased it to as many as 19 points in the second before settling for a 37-22 halftime advantage. 

Mary Kate Fahey scored a team-high 13 points in the first half, shooting a tidy 5-of-7 from the floor, including 3-of-4 from three-point range.

The Violets' lead grew to 25 points, 56-31, on Nataie Bruns' layup to close out the third quarter, and increased to 30 points, 73-43, on Alexia Mousouroulis' free throw with 2:29 remaining.

Bruns finished with 16 points, a game-high nine rebounds, five assists, three blocks, and a steal, while Fahey added three assists to her 13-point night.

"It was nice to come off a long layoff and be together back on the court," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "We led with our defense and it was a great team win."

NYU forced Middlebury (7-2) into 25 turnovers while holding the Panthers to 37.3 percent shooting (19-of-51) from the field.

"And, what can you say about Belle?" Barber added. "She's a warrior, the heart of the team tonight with her veracity on both ends of the floor. I am a lucky coach to coach her."

The Violets return to action on Thursday, January 2, for an afternoon contest against Nazareth University. Game time at the Paulson Center is set for 2:00pm.