From University of Rochester Athletics
The University of Rochester women's basketball team
mounted a furious comeback, rallying from as many as 13 points down
in the 2nd half to defeat 8th-ranked New York University 72-63 on
Friday night at the Louis Alexander Palestra.
The Yellowjackets (12-7, 4-4 UAA) nearly doubled up NYU
(17-2, 6-2 UAA) in the second half, outscoring the Violets
40-22. Rochester freshman Alexandra Leslie led all scorers,
matching her career high with 28 points, 20 coming in the second
half.
Leslie added 13 rebounds for her sixth double-double of the
year, also handing out a career high six assists while shooting
12-13 from the free throw line. Blair Landolfi added nine key
points while Brynn Lauer added eight off the bench. Tylar
Guerrieri chipped in four while grabbing 12 rebounds. As a
team, the Yellowjackets outrebounded the Violets by 16,
54-38.
Rochester jumped out quickly, getting on top by leads of
7-2, 16-10 and 22-16 before the visiting Violets were able to put
together a big run. Over 7:19 late in the first half, NYU
scored 22 of 26 points to go from down six to up 12 at 38-26.
UR went cold during that stretch, making just 1 of 14 attempts
while NYU made 7 of 11 shots. The run was capped by a Riley
Wurtz 3-pointer with 1:30 to go in the half.
At the break, Rochester trailed by nine at 41-32.
The Yellowjackets flipped the script in the second half,
playing great defense and making clutch shots to gradually chip
away at the Violet lead. After a Drew Cabral free throw put
NYU up 12 with 12:54 to go, Rochester would hold the Violets to
just 10 points the rest of the way to mount the
comeback.
UR had runs of 12-2 and 16-2 late to cap the victory in the
second half. Over the last 10 minutes of the game, NYU made
just 4 of 15 field goals and committed seven turnovers.
Rochester on the other hand shot 50% from the floor, making 8 of
16, including two 3-pointers during that same duration.
The big advantage on the glass came on the offensive end as
Rochester recorded 20 offensive boards to NYU's eight. The
Yellowjackets also handed out 20 assists on 26 baskets and swatted
five blocks.
The visiting Violets were led by Kaitlyn Read who scored 18
points and grabbed four steals. Cabral scored nine and had
five rebounds while Emily Rowe added eight points and 10
rebounds.
Rochester next plays host to Brandeis University on Sunday
at 2 pm while NYU travels down to Atlanta to face Emory.
The win is UR head coach Jim Scheible's 300th on the
Rochester sidelines (441st overall).
