The streak lives!
In arguably the biggest challenge of their now-record 86-game winning streak, it was the veteran and a rookie who propelled the top-ranked and still-undefeated New York University women's basketball team to a scintillating 57-52 victory over #19 University of Chicago on Sunday, February 22, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.
Trailing 47-46 in the waning moments, the Violets' lone senior,
Caroline Peper, put her team ahead with a three-pointer with just 1:30 remaining.
After Chicago's Chris Sanders tied it with a layup, Peper again came up big with a layup of her own with just 29 ticks left.
After an empty Maroons' possession, Peper was fouled and made both free throws with 18 seconds on the clock.
"Pep is like a coach on the floor, and I think she was just waiting for this moment when their defense was just dead exhausted and she took advantage of it," said Head Coach
Meg Barber.
Sanders then connected on a three-pointer to pull Chicago within one, 53-52.
NYU freshman
Olivia Lagao was fouled and calmly made two free throws with 10 seconds left.
"She came in ice cold off the bench. But, we put her in that position because she's shown she can do it," Barber explained. "She's a player with a perfect mentality and was a perfect spot for her to be in."
Sanders missed on a long three-point attempt and
Brooke Batchelor iced the games with two final free throws.
"Credit Chicago. What they did defensively today was incredible," Barber said. NYU was held to 26.2 percent (16-of-61) shooting. "I have a ton of respect for them and their coaching staff. This league is brutal, and we're so excited to get the win."
The Violets fell behind 5-0 to start the game and faced their largest deficit of the season, 19-11, late in the first quarter.
Peper's three-pointer with 51 second remaining in the second quarter gave NYU its first lead, 29-26.
The Violets fell behind by three points in the third quarter, 35-32, before
Aila Kaibara's three-pointer gave NYU a 37-35 lead.
NYU did not score again in the quarter and trailed 39-37 heading into the fourth.
Peper finished with a game-high 22 points.
Yasmene Clark posted a double-double of 12 points and 11 rebounds.
The Violets host Brandeis University in the final regular-season game of the 2025-26 season on Saturday, February 28. Tip-off for the Senior/Alumni Day contest is set for 3:00pm at the Paulson Center.
