The New York University women's basketball team posted a 55-49 victory over host Hunter College on Wednesday, December 11, at the Hunter Sportsplex in Manhattan.

The Violets (8-1), who also use the Sportsplex for their home games, struggled with their shooting throughout the contest but were able to hold off the Hawks (4-5) down the stretch.

NYU raced out to a 15-0 lead and an 18-4 advantage after the first quarter.

Hunter pulled within seven points, 23-16, with just under two minutes left in the second quarter before NYU went on to a 28-20 halftime lead. 

NYU, who entered the game leading all of NCAA Division III in scoring with 91.3 points per game, struggled from the field in the opening half. The Violets shot just 29.7% (11-of-37), including 27.8% (5-of-18) from three-point range over the first 20 minutes. 

However, they were able to maintain the lead by holding Hunter to just 27.6% (8-of-29) from the field during the opening half.

The poor shooting continued in the third quarter and the Hawks crept to within three, 39-36, before Katie Foo's three-pointer lifted the Violets to a 42-36 lead after three quarters.

However, when Hunter's Theresa Leung connected on a three-pointer with 6:28 left in the game, the Hawks took their first - and only - lead of the game, 43-42.

The Violets' leading scorer, Janean Cuffee (New York, NY/The Lawrenceville School), followed with a three-pointer to put NYU back in the lead. Lauren Gast (St. Louis, MO/Villa Duchesne) then gave the Violets a four-point lead, 47-43, before another Hunter bucket brought the Hawks back within two.

But, Cuffee wouldn't led the lead slip away again. Over the next several minutes, she hit two layups and stole a pass that led to a Brooklyn Shelton (Botetourt, VA/Lord Botetourt) layup as NYU held on for the victory.  

"Janean's been stepping up for us in those moments," said Head Coach Meg Barber. "We really needed to have the ball in her hands and for her to make some plays."

Shelton' s two free throws with 15 seconds left capped the scoring. 

Cuffee recorded a double-double of 18 points and 10 rebounds, while also adding three assists and that key steal. Shelton finished with 15 points.

Gast and Annie Barrett (Cambridge, MA/Buckingham Browne & Nichols) each contributed seven rebounds, while Lauren Koyama (Palo Alto, CA/Palo Alto) totaled a game-high five assists. 

NYU shot only 28.8% (21-of-73) for the game, while Hunter finished at 31.7% (20-of-63).

"They threw a great punch at us and it took everything we had to finish the game," Barber added. "But it was great to have one last test before we head into exams." 

The Violets do not play another game in 2019. They'll open up the New Year with a contest at Brooklyn College on Friday, January 3. Tip-off in Brooklyn is set for 5:00pm.