From NYU Athletics

Another electrifying third quarter led New York University's women's basketball team to an 80-64 victory over University of Chicago on Sunday afternoon at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.

NYU (21-1, 12-1) trailed by a point at halftime, but outscored Chicago 22-7 in the third to run away with its seventh straight victory. Belle Pellecchia's career-high 23 points led the charge as the Violets, who clinched the University Athletic Association (UAA) title and an automatic bid to the upcoming NCAA Tournament with Friday's triumph, won by double-digits for the 19th time this season.

The Maroons scored the first six points of the game and led 24-23 after the first behind 9-of-13 shooting in the quarter.

A back-and-forth second quarter followed, featuring six lead changes as Chicago clung to a 39-38 edge at the break.

Then, as they've done so many times this year, the Violets erupted in the third, scoring the first 11 points of the frame to nab a 10-point lead (49-39). NYU's high-pressure defense held the Maroons to 1-of-11 shooting from the floor and 0-of-5 from deep in the quarter as the hosts led 60-46 going into the fourth.

Chicago got back within 12 points twice in the fourth, but Bianca Notarainni's layup with 2:46 to play put NYU up 73-58 to seal the win.

BOX SCORE BREAKDOWN

• Pellecchia shot 10-of-14 from the floor and 3-of-3 at the line for her career-high 23 points and added seven rebounds, four assists and a pair of steals.
• Erica Miller scored 14 points, including four long-range jumpers, along with two boards and a block.
• Jenny Walker (13) and Natalie Bruns (10) were the two other Violets who scored in double-figures.
• Jordan Janowski chipped in eight points, including a three-pointer from near half-court as the first-half buzzer sounded. She dished out five assists as well.
• NYU shot a season-high 56.9 percent from the field and scored 80-or-more points for the 11th time in 2021-22.