NEW YORK – With sole possession of first place in the conference on the line Friday evening, the University of Chicago women's basketball team owned the paint throughout and utilized a big second half to down New York University 78-62.

The No. 21-ranked Maroons (18-5 record) now reside atop the University Athletic Association (UAA) standings at 9-3. The Violets (18-5 overall) dropped to 8-4 in UAA contests.

A closely-contested first-half saw NYU take its biggest lead of the night at 19-12. But the Maroons chipped away and eventually tied the score 21-21 after a layup and three-pointer by senior guard Miranda Burt. First-year guard Grace Hynes equaled that feat with five points over back-to-back possessions to put her squad up 28-23. At the halftime break, UChicago held a tenuous 38-36 advantage.

The Maroons came out in the third quarter with a sense of purpose and blew the game open. The visitors dashed away with a 16-5 run that increased the lead to 54-41 midway through the period. Each time the Violets tried to make a run, they were responded to immediately. The fourth quarter saw UChicago limit the hosts to a mere eight points while closing out the victory.

The post was Maroon territory all evening. UChicago outrebounded NYU 45-27 while also owning a 32-14 advantage in points in the paint. The Maroons have now held the rebounding advantage in 17 of its last 20 games. While the Violets were successful from three-point range (12 of 25), they only had two second-chance points. Sophomore forward Klaire Steffens was a force in the middle with 11 rebounds, including seven on the offensive end.

UChicago's physicality was also reflected at the free throw line (21-for-25 versus 10-for-13). Turnovers dogged NYU as well – the hosts committed 23 compared to 15 by the visitors.

Senior forward Taylor Lake led the scoring effort with 21 points. Hynes tallied an all-around stat line of 18 points, five rebounds and three steals. Burt and senior guard Mia Farrell finished with 14 and 13 points, respectively.

NEXT GAME:

• Sunday, Feb. 23 @ 2:00 PM (ET) – UChicago at Brandeis University