From NYU Athletics

Belle Pellecchia scored all 12 of her points in the fourth quarter while Natalie Bruns and Jenny Walker combined for 43 points as New York University's sixth-ranked women's basketball team outlasted 22nd-ranked Washington University in St. Louis, 63-60, on Sunday afternoon at the Brooklyn Athletic Facility.

 Entering the game, WashU was in sole possession of first place in the University Athletic Association (UAA), leading NYU by one game. Now, the two teams are tied for the top spot in the league with identical 9-2 UAA records as the Violets have now won eight straight.

NYU trailed at the break, however, as the Bears controlled the game in the first half.

"It was really defensive," said head coach Meg Barber of NYU's adjustments in the second half. "I thought we gave them some of the looks that they're accustomed to making (in the first half). Starting the second half with stops allowed us to get out and run."

The Bears forced nine Violet turnovers in the first quarter and shot 7-of-12 from the field in the frame as the visitors held a 15-8 advantage after one.

NYU trailed by as many as 12 points in the second quarter, but cut into the deficit and made it an eight-point game (33-25) at intermission. Bruns and Walker combined to score all 25 of the Violets' points in the first half.

The Violets blitzed WashU coming out of the break, outscoring the Bears 20-8 in the third as Caroline Peper got into the scoring column in a big way, pouring in eight third-quarter points to help NYU grab a 45-41 edge entering the fourth.

Pellecchia came alive in the fourth, carving her way into the lane for clutch finish after clutch finish. But, NYU struggled from the stripe, hitting just 6-of-13 free throws in the final period. This allowed WashU to stay alive until the final buzzer as the Bears stole the ball with two seconds left but missed a last-second heave to tie.

"It's really valuable to have these games," Barber added. "Every UAA coach is honestly amazing and this is great for us to learn from. Every UAA win at this point is huge. We have three games to go and we're gonna keep taking it one game at a time."

Bruns totaled a game-high 24 points (10-of-15 FG), a team-high eight boards, two assists, two blocks and a steal. Walker finished with 19 points (8-of-16 FG), six rebounds and an assist.

Pellecchia shot 4-of-7 from the floor for her 12 points along with seven rebounds, three steals and a pair of assists.

Peper was the only other Violet to score, ending the day with eight points (3-of-5 FG, 2-of-3 3PT) and a team-high four assists.