Bearcats Upset #1 Ranked NYU, 70-68

New York, NY (December 15, 2004) – The Baruch College women's basketball team upset the top ranked NYU women's team, 70-68, in a non-conference road game played on Wednesday night at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.

The NYU Violets (7-1), who entered the game ranked #1 in the latest USA Today/ESPN/WBCA Coaches` Poll and # 2 in the D3hoops.com poll, scored the first four points of the game. But, the Baruch Bearcats (8-1) scored the next seven points and never lost the lead the rest of the way.

After Adrienne Rochetti`s jumper brought the Violets to within five, 28-23, Baruch (8-1) embarked on a 13-4 run before settling for a 43-33 halftime lead.

Baruch maintained a double-digit lead most of the second half and led by as much as 13 points (59-46) with 8:46 remaining.

At that point, NYU made a final run. Sparked by consecutive layups by Chantal Kazay and Stephanie Huhn, the Violets went on a 13-4 run and closed to within one point, 65-64, with 1:09 remaining on a three-pointer by Rachel Wojdowski.

However, Baruch held the lead as junior point guard Diane Ramirez answered with a jumper, and junior guard Jessenia Marrero followed with a steal and two free throws.

After Wojdowski hit two free throws with 10 seconds left, Ramirez made one of two free throws to give the Bearcats a four-point lead before Wojdowski hit a layup right before the final buzzer.

Sophomore Ally Stamatiades led Baruch with 19 points. Freshman Chiresse Paradise had 17, while Ramirez and Marrero finished with 16 and 11, respectively.

Wojdowski finished with 23 points and nine rebounds for NYU, while Kazay finished with a "double-double" of 10 points and 10 rebounds.

"It is hard to put into words what this victory means for Baruch College and the CUNY Athletic Conference," said Rookie Head Coach Machli Joseph. "The girls worked so hard to prepare for these big games, and as this game went along, their confidence grew to the point that they knew they could win it. They did the little things, hit the big shots, and came out with a great win."

Baruch will go on break for final exams and the holidays before regrouping to host Ilinois Wesleyan in a home game on January 4.

John Neves
Baruch Sports Information
646-312-5048
http://www.baruch.cuny.edu/athletics