The top-ranked and undefeated New York University women's basketball team faced its stiffest challenge of the season, but shook off a slow start to defeat #15 Washington University in St. Louis 77-64 on Friday, January 23, in St. Louis, MO.

The Violets have now won 77 straight games, just four off the NCAA Division III record of 81 held by.....Washington University in St. Louis. 

The 13-point win represented NYU's smallest margin of victory this season. 

For the first time in 2025-26, the Violets trailed after the first quarter, 18-16

NYU was still behind 20-19, but consecutive three-pointers from Brooke Batchelor and Aila Kaibara, followed by a layup from Caroline Peper accounted for an 8-0 run and the Violets never trailed again.

Another Kaibara three gave NYU its first double-digit lead, 36-26 with 2:25 remaining, and Yasmene Clark's basket put NYU up 38-28 at halftime. 

The Bears pulled within single digits at 42-33, but the Violets scored the next three points and maintained a double-digit advantage the rest of the quarter, taking a 16-point lead, 56-40, into the fourth. 

Kaibara's jumper with 4:45 left gave NYU a game-high 21-point lead, 69-48.

WashU whittled its deficit down to 75-64 with 44 ticks left, but got no closer. 

Kaibara finished with a game-high 23 points. Peper scored 18 and Batchelor added 12 points, as well as team-highs of seven rebounds and three steals.

Zahra Alexander contributed 10 points, while Clark also grabbed seven rebounds.

The Violets' attempt to continue their unbeaten streak rolls on when they face the University of Chicago on Sunday afternoon in the Windy City. Tip-off is set for 12:00pm central time.