From University of Chicago Athletics
With sole possession of first place in the conference on the line Friday evening, the University of Chicago women's basketball team owned the paint throughout and utilized a big second half to down New York University 78-62.
The No. 21-ranked Maroons (18-5 record) now reside atop the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings at 9-3. The Violets (18-5 overall) dropped to 8-4 in UAA contests.
A closely-contested first-half saw NYU take its biggest lead of the night at 19-12. But the Maroons chipped away and eventually tied the score 21-21 after a layup and three-pointer by senior guard Miranda Burt. First-year guard Grace Hynes equaled that feat with five points over back-to-back possessions to put her squad up 28-23. At the halftime break, UChicago held a tenuous 38-36 advantage.
The Maroons came out in the third quarter with a sense of purpose and blew the game open. The visitors dashed away with a 16-5 run that increased the lead to 54-41 midway through the period. Each time the Violets tried to make a run, they were responded to immediately. The fourth quarter saw UChicago limit the hosts to a mere eight points while closing out the victory.
The post was Maroon territory all evening. UChicago outrebounded NYU 45-27 while also owning a 32-14 advantage in points in the paint. The Maroons have now held the rebounding advantage in 17 of its last 20 games. While the Violets were successful from three-point range (12 of 25), they only had two second-chance points. Sophomore forward Klaire Steffens was a force in the middle with 11 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.
UChicago's physicality was also reflected at the free throw line (21-for-25 versus 10-for-13). Turnovers dogged NYU as well – the hosts committed 23 compared to 15 by the visitors.
Senior forward Taylor Lake led the scoring effort with 21 points. Hynes tallied an all-around stat line of 18 points, five rebounds and three steals. Burt and senior guard Mia Farrell finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively