Violets Move on to Elite Eight with Convincing Win
The top-ranked and undefeated New York University women's basketball team is headed to the NCAA Elite Eight for the third consecutive season following its 73-55 win over Hardin Simmons University on Friday in front of 1,300 fans at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.
The Violets (28-0) were tested early, but used a 37-12 run spanning the first two quarters to take a lead they never relinquished.
"It was a hard-fought win, but I told the team before the game that in my mind we had already won because in this environment, to be at home to have a packed house with every eyeball on us, is a testament to the growth of our program," said Head Coach Meg Barber.
Trailing 12-10, NYU scored the next four points. Then, with the score tied 14-14, Belle Pellecchia and Natalie Bruns hit consecutive layups to put the Violets up for good.
NYU was ahead 20-16 after the first quarter and expanded its advantage to 23 points, 47-24, on Megan Bauman's layup with 1:53 left in the first half.
Hardin-Simmons (26-4) ended the quarter on a 6-0 run and NYU led at halftime 47-30.
The Violets shot a deadly 63.3 percent (21-of-33) over the first 20 minutes, with Pellecchia leading the way with 12 points.
NYU scored the first eight points of the second half, then went up by a game-high 30, 65-35, on Caroline Peper's three-pointer and went on to lead 65-38 after the third quarter.
The Cowgirls only got as close as 17 in the final quarter.
Pelllecchia finished with a game-high 17 points.
"Having these games at home is huge," Pellecchia said. "Having all of NYU Athletics here tonight was kind of eye-opening. Such a great experience."
Morgan Morrison added 14 points, Bruns had 11 and Bauman finished with 10.
"It's amazing to see this kind of support," Morrison said. "My mindset coming in was 'no losses on the home court.'"
Morrison led the way with nine rebounds, Pellecchia had six assists and Bruns rejected six shots
"The bitter taste of losing in the last two Elite Eight's have left a bitter taste in our mouths," Barber added. "We have grown a lot and we are not satisfied with this win tonight."