Perfection!

The 2023-24 New York University women's basketball dream season concluded the way it began...with a victory...and nothing but victories in-between

In a defensive struggle from the outset, the Violets ended their 31-0 season with a 51-41 victory over Smith College on Saturday, March 16, in Columbus, OH.

It was NYU's second-ever NCAA Division III title, with the only other one secured in 1997.

"There's no energy left in my body. It was such a hard-fought game," said NYU Head Coach Meg Barber. "It took everything we had."



The Violets scored the first eight points of the game, holding Smith scoreless until 5:43 was left in the first quarter.

Erica Miller's three-pointer gave the Violets an 11-2 lead, but the Pioneers edged within 13-10.

Morgan Morrison's short jumper in the final minute gave NYU a 15-10 lead after the first quarter.

Smith (30-4) opened the second quarter on a 5-0 run and tied the game at 15-15.

NYU quickly responded by scoring the next eight, with Morrison accounting for the final four of the streak.

But, again the Pioneers did not back down, ending the quarter on a 6-0 run and cutting the Violets' lead to 23-21 at halftime. 

Morrison had eight points and six rebounds at the break. Belle Pellecchia also had eight points, with Natalie Bruns already accounting for four blocked shots.  

"We started out on that 8-0 run, but credit Smith for adjusting well," Pellecchia said. "But, we stuck to what we knew best, which was defense and that had gotten us to this point and helped us win this game."

Both defenses were solid over the first 20 minutes, as each team shot only 35.7 percent (10-of-28) from the field.

Bruns hit consecutive shots to start the third quarter and NYU opened an eight-point lead, 34-26, on Pellecchia's steal and layup.

Morrison again gave the Violets an eight-point lead, 36-28, with a short bucket at 2:45.

Smith again closed the gap by scoring the next four points, but Bruns countered with a free throw and short jumper as NYU headed into the final quarter up 39-32.

Neither defense rested in the fourth quarter as no points were scored until Smith's Sofia Rosa connected with 6:22 left in the game.

The Pioneers pulled within five, but got no closer. 

Rosa, who scored a game-high 19 points, fouled out with 2:01 remaining. Pellecchia hit a pair of free throws and NYU re-established a game-high nine-point lead, 45-36. 

Megan Bauman's free throws with 38 seconds left gave NYU its first double-digit lead, 48-38. She added three more down the stretch, securing the NCAA Championship and undefeated season. 

"It's really hard to think about it now. So much hard work went into this, not only this year but in previous year's as well," said Bruns, who was named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player. "But, now, it's pure euphoria."

Morrison, who was named to the NCAA All-Tournament Team, finished with team highs of 14 points and nine rebounds.

"We never took our eye off of what we wanted, no matter what game it was," Morrison said. "We always knew it was always working towards something. I think having that in a program is so special because you never lose sight of what you need to do and it motivates you and everything you do." 

Pellecchia finished with 12 points, eight rebounds and two steals. Bruns, who was named Tournament MVP, contributed nine points, nine rebounds and five blocks, while Bauman also scored in double-digits (10).

"This is the moment you dream of when you're a little kid," Pellecchia added. "To actually be here in this moment is so unreal, indescribable. So many tears of joy. Everything that we've gone through has finally paid off."