The New York University women's basketball team continued its quest for a third straight National Championship with its 70-47 NCAA Tournament win over Messiah University on Saturday, March 7, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

The Violets' victory streak is now at 89, surpassing the NCAA men's all-time record of 88 set by UCLA from 1971-74.

NYU will now move on to the NCAA Sweet Sixteen on Friday, March 13, with an opponent and site not yet determined.

Saturday's game was close for most of the first quarter. Messiah (24-5) led 9-5 before a 14-0 run put NYU ahead to stay. 

The Violets (27-0) led 19-11 after the first quarter and 35-22 at halftime.

The lead increased to 25 points, 58-33, at the end of the third quarter and expanded to as many as 28 in the fourth.

"It was great to be able to experience this in front of our home fans," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "It's incredible. It's March Madness. Just a great basketball environment in New York City." 

Caroline Peper and Brooke Batchelor both played the entire 40 minutes and scored 25 and 15 points, respectively.

"We kept moving the ball around and got good sideline drives and kick-outs," Peper explained. "I never wanted to come out, though Coach wanted me to."

"Our defensive energy fuels our offense," Batchelor said. "I think I'm going to sleep well tonight. It's been a long time since I played all 40 minutes." 

Yasmene Clark finished with a near-double-double of nine points and a game-high 15 rebounds as the Violets out-rebounded the Falcons 44-24.

Zahra Alexander also had nine points and six rebounds.

"At this time of year it's just win and advance," Barber added. "We just want to live another day. So our sole focus is to just get ready to play another day."