NEW YORK-After making the program's first-ever NCAA tournament appearance last season, it didn't take long for the women's basketball team to secure another trip to the Big Dance. Despite a 79-73 loss at No. 6 New York University in their final regular-season game Saturday, the Judges finished the season in third place in the conference and were awarded with an at-large bid to play in the NCAA Division III tournament for the second season in a row.The Judges will face 25-3 University of Maine at Farmington in the first round of the tournament Friday at 6 p.m. The game will be played at Emmanuel College in Boston.

[The men's basketball team also clinched an at-large bid to the tournament, marking the first time both teams have earned appearances in the same season. See story..]

Last season's historic run, which came after the team had narrowly missed the tournament in two consecutive, saw the Judges pick up a 63-59 first-round win over Salem State College before falling to Bowdoin College 59-56 in the second round.

"Everyone is pumped right now," center Caitlin Malcolm '07 said. "We definitely want to be in the tournament a lot longer than two games. It's exciting to get another chance [this year]."

Coming out of a timeout with 1:08 remaining against NYU Saturday, guard Ali Chase '07 stole the ball and found Lauren Rashford '10 streaking down the court. Rashford went in for the layup, but the ball rimmed out, and so did Brandeis' chances of catching the Violets in the game's final seconds.

That the team still earned an at-large bid was a change in fortune from the days before the Judges had ever graced an NCAA tournament bracket. Just two seasons ago, Brandeis saw itself eliminated from NCAA contention after a tough season-ending loss in New York. At 19-5 overall and 9-5 in conference play, the Judges wouldn't be denied another appearance.

In a balanced offensive effort for Brandeis, Chase and Malcolm led the team with 12 points apiece Saturday, while Capra, the team's leading scorer, contributed 10 points but shot 0-3 from three-point range and 6-13 at the free-throw line.

"NYU played really good defense on Capra and Malcolm," coach Carol Simon said. "They're a tough physical team and they're going to gear up on your two primary scorers."

The Judges didn't score until more than five minutes into the game, falling into a 7-0 hole. After being down as many as 16 points in the first half, Brandeis cut the lead to two in the opening minutes of the second-half.

Brandeis trailed 66-62 with 5:43 left in the game, but several turnovers and missed shots forced the Judges to foul NYU down the stretch, and the Violets converted 11-14 of their free throws to ice the game.

"We just dug ourselves into too big of a hole," Capra said.

Struggles at the free-throw line also doomed the Judges, as they shot 67 percent for the game compared with NYU's 78 percent.

Meanwhile, NYU's forward tandem of sophomore Jessica McEntee and senior Karen Bachman overwhelmed the Judges for a combined 47 points.

"The NYU posts are very physical, strong and athletic," Capra said.

McEntee, the second-leading scorer in the UAA at 15.7 point per game, was particularly tough to handle down low, scoring 31 points and going 17-20 from the free throw line, setting NYU and UAA records for most free throws made and attempted in a game. Bachman scored 16 points and pulled down a game-high nine rebounds.

"Our plan against [McEntee] was to force her in the middle and double-team her when we had to, but we weren't really able to do it and we fouled her a lot," Wells said.

Before falling to NYU, the Judges picked up road wins against Emory University and Case Western Reserve University the previous weekend. In a 58-51 victory over Emory Feb. 16, the Judges' held the Eagles to 27 percent shooting and outrebounded them 48-28. Capra scored a game-high 12 points and Kiersten Holgash '08 had a season-high 11 points.

Against Case Western Feb. 18, a balanced offensive attack lifted Brandeis to a 74-61 victory. Forward Lauren Orlando '09 scored 12 points while Capra and guard Jessica Chapin '10 had 11 each.

Despite ending their regular season on a sour note, players expressed confidence heading into postseason play.

"We met a lot of our goals for the season," Wells said. "We won our entire pre-conference schedule [and] never lost games in back-to-back UAA weekends."

Malcolm said the experience the Judges' gained during last year's NCAA tournament run will be a valuable asset for them this postseason.

"We won't be as nervous or scared [in this year's tournament], not knowing what to expect," she said.