Atlanta, GA — The New York University (NYU) Division III Women’s Basketball team has been enjoying a stellar year thus far.
With the regular season winding down, the Violets’ game against host Emory University was an important one, as the two squads battled for first place in the ultra-competitive University Athletic Association (UAA).
Behind a team-best 20 points from freshman forward Jenny Walker, NYU upended the Eagles, 54-50, Friday night in Atlanta, GA, helping the program tie the University of Chicago for the top spot in the UAA.
“Jenny was a huge part of our game plan,” Violets’ Head Coach Meg Barber said on https://gonyuathletics.com. “She showed her power on the block and her versatility in scoring tonight.”
It was a defensive tilt, but senior gaurd Annie Barrett’s jumper with just under three minutes left put NYU (17-4, 7-3) ahead, 47-45, a lead it would never relinquish.
“It was a defensive battle and we were able to get key stops down the stretch,” added Barber. “Our goal was to be in a position to challenge them in the fourth, and I think we had just enough gas in the tank to push us to the win.”
The remainder of the Violets’ scoring came from the charity stripe, as junior guard Janean Cuffee, a New York native and Lawrenceville School (NJ) graduate, made five free throws and freshman guard Brooklyn Shelton (Botetourt, VA/Lord Botetourt) sank two as NYU held off Emory (15-6, 6-4).
Cuffee (11) and Shelton (10) also scored in double digits for the Violets. Additionally, Walker and Cuffee grabbed eight rebounds apiece.
NYU’s next game is in Rochester, NY, against the University of Rochester on Sunday. The tip-off is set for 2:00pm.
— Jerry Del Priore
