January 26, 2007

Top-Ranked Maroons Fall to #12 NYU

CHICAGO -- Jessica McEntee scored 23 points and collected 20 rebounds to lead 12th-ranked New York University to a 75-66 win over top-ranked University of Chicago in University Athletic Association women's basketball action Friday at the Ratner Athletics Center.

The loss bumped Chicago (16-1 overall, 5-1 UAA) from the ranks of the unbeaten, leaving Howard Payne University (18-0) as the lone undefeated team in the NCAA Division III.

Chicago jumped out to an early 15-9 lead as juniors Nicaya Rapier (Munster, Ind./ Bishop Noll) and Nofi Mojidi (Silver Spring, Md./ Bullis School) combined for 11 points in the game's first 4:15.

Rapier and Mojidi paced the Maroons with 16 points each on the evening. Rapier also pulled down 12 rebounds.

The Maroons led 18-14 midway through the opening period when NYU (16-1, 5-1) went on a 20-0 run. The Violets built a 43-29 advantage by halftime.

NYU took its largest lead of the night, 49-31, when Adrienne Rochetti hit a pair of free throws early in the second half. Rochetti finished the night with 13 points.

Chicago chipped away at the lead until a three-point basket by freshman Jamie Stinson (Topeka, Kan./ Shawnee Heights) got the Maroons within four points, 51-47, with 10:18 remaining in the contest.

NYU regained a double-digit advantage, 58-48, when McEntee converted a three-point play at the 7:53 mark. The Violets led by at least seven points the rest of the way.

Stephanie Ryba finished with 16 points for NYU, while sophomore Alex Leach (Gurnee, Ill./ Warren) added 10 points in a losing effort for Chicago.

NYU outrebounded the Maroons -- who entered the game with the second-best rebounding margin in the NCAA Division III (+12.9) -- 49-46.

Box Score