NEW YORK, NY (SMI-GLOBAL-WOMEN-SPORTS-UNIVERSITY-FEB. 22-25, 2025)-Belle Pellechia, Natalie Bruns, Caroline Peper & Brooke Batchelor combined for 65-points in the attack as the NYU women's basketball team defeated Case Western Reserve University 86-62, on Senior Day to extend its winning streak to 55, games and closed-out its season home game schedule undefeated at John Paulson Center, NYU University.

The Violets who are the current 2024 NCAA Div III national champions honored 5-senior players who will be graduating this year during a presentation ceremony prior to the start of the game: Belle Pellechia, Natalie Bruns, Caroline Peper, Chloe Teter & Mary K. Fahey  for their contributions to the NYU women's basketball program during the last 4-years.


After both teams traded baskets back & forth for the first 4' of the first period, NYU went in 5-0, unanswered points to take a commanding lead of 13-7, with 4:27' left in the first frame.
Jamie Behar scored with a jumper and Natalie Bruns added 2-points with a layup while Belle Pellecchia contributed with 1-FT in the scoring drive.

The Spartans answered back with a triple from Jordyn Call, a jumper by Maura Schorr and Emily Plachta added a free throw to cut the deficit to 13-12, in favor of the Violets.

NYU responded with another 7-0, unanswered scoring drive with Belle Pellecchia scoring 4-points with a layup on a fast break and couple FTs and Natalie Bruns added a layup inside the paint to closed-out the first period with the Violets leading 19-12, over Case Western Reserve. 

After Emily Plachta scored a triple for the Spartans to cut the deficit to 25-22, with 04:26 left in the 2nd period, NYU outscored the Spartans 13-4, the rest of the way to send both teams to the locker-rooms with the Violets leading 38-26, at the half.  Caroline Peper led the attack  with a jumper and a triple for a total of 6-points, Brooke Batchelor and Zahra Alexander added 4-points with couple layups in the paint.

In the 3rd period, NYU took control of the game with strong consecutive offensive attacks led by Caroline Peper opening the frame with a triple to increase the lead by 15, while Brooke Batchelor added couple triples, and Belle Pellecchia contributed with one more from outside the arc to closed-out the third frame 68-42, and put the game away the rest of the way for the final score of 86-62, in favor of the Violets over Case Western Reserve University. 

NYU were led by Belle Pellecchia with 20-points & 7-Rebounds, Natalie Bruns added 16-points with 10-Rebounds, Caroline Peper scored 17 points including 3-triples and Brooke Batchelor contributed with 12-points including 2-triples in the game. 

With the win, the Violets improves to 24-0, overall, in the season, 14-0 @ home & 13-0, UAA Conference play.

Article & Photos by Staff/Women Starlight/Starlight Illustrated