The #1-ranked and undefeated New York University women's basketball team ran its 2024-25 record to 20-0 with a 77-58 home victory over Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday, February 9, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

The Violets have now won 51 consecutive games over the past two seasons, now tied for the 14th-longest winning streak in NCAA collegiate women's basketball history. 

As in all but two of NYU's games this season, the Violets never trailed.

NYU (20-0, 9-0) scored the first four points of the University Athletic Association (UAA) contest and led by as many as 12 before settling for a 22-10 lead after the first quarter.  

The Violets took a 17-point lead, 31-14, on Mary Kate Fahey's foul shot with 3:07 remaining and went on to lead 33-21 at halftime.

NYU opened the third quarter on a 13-0 run and took a game-high 25-point lead, 46-21, on Natalie Bruns' three-pointer.

The Bears (13-7, 4-5) went on a 19-6 streak to cut their deficit to 52-40.

The Violets answered with the final six points of the quarter and never led by less than 18 the rest of the way.

"The second games of these UAA weekends are never easy," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "We continue to rely on our defense and the strength of our upperclassmen."

Bruns finished with a game-high 24 points, 18 in the second half. She also added a career-high nine assists to go with eight rebounds, four blocks and two steals. 

"Uncharacteristically, she had several shots in the first half that went in and out," Barber added. "But, she kept her composure and was rewarded in the second half."  

Bruns was supported by her fellow upperclassmen, as Belle Pellecchia (16 points), Caroline Peper (15) and Jamie Behar (14) all scored in double-figures. 

"We know WashU is a good team and would make a run," Bruns said. "But, we trust that all the work we've put in this season is going to carry us through even when things look a bit shaky."

The Violets return to action on Friday, February 14, when they travel to Atlanta, GA, for another UAA game against Emory University. Tip-off is set for 7:30pm.