Following her second steal in less than half a minute Saturday, junior guard Jessica Chapin '10 was fouled by New York University's Chelsea Blake on a drive to the basket with 9 minutes, 18 seconds remaining in the first half of the regular season finale. Chapin acrobatically put up a twisting, over-the-back layup, giving Brandeis a 26-12 lead over the Violets before adding a free throw and another bucket.

The Judges crushed NYU, beating the Violets 90-65 at home on Saturday afternoon. Brandeis improved to third in UAA standings (9-5) and 16-8 overall.

Brandeis swept the season series from NYU for the second season and the first time since the 2003 to 2004 season.

Still, the Judges were unable to advance to the NCAA Tournament.

Against the Violets, Chapin led the Judges and notched another double-double with 20 points, 10 rebound, eight assists and three steals.

Chapin was complemented by forward Shannon Hassan '12 contributed 19 points, seven rebounds and one block and steal.

Forward Amber Stodthoff '11 paced the Judges with 4 points and a team-leading 11 rebounds while point guard Lauren Rashford '10 added 12 points.

Guard Morgan Kendrew '12 scored 11 more and supplied three assists, two blocks and a steal.

Forward Shannon Ingram '13 had a team-high four steals to compliment her 4 points and six rebounds.

The Judges' intense play was matched by excellent teamwork. The women dove for loose balls and fought for rebounds throughout the game.

Rashford attributed the victory to heart, commitment and determination.

"Even with our big lead at halftime we knew that NYU is a tough team and they can always come back," she said. "So we made sure we came out in the second half motivated to get our win. We really played well as a team today."

The Judges outpaced NYU, gaining a 7-6 lead 3:30 into the game that they would not concede. Brandeis outscored the Violets 47-23 in the first half, despite scoring only 1 point more in the second half.

The Brandeis defense held the Violets to a 23.3 percent shooting percentage in the first half.

In the second half, the Judges led by as many as 35, but an unrelenting NYU squad chipped away at the lead by utilizing a full-court press and forcing Brandeis turnovers.

The Violets improved their shooting percentage drastically, making 36.8 percent of their shots in the second half.

Scott Foulis, Brandeis' assistant coach, remarked that the biggest challenge in a game with a large lead is staying disciplined. Still, he noted the impressive way the Judges managed to focus and overcome that difficulty.

"[The women] were ready to play," he said. "We played within ourselves and followed the game plan. We came in with a chip on our shoulder, which I think was a good thing.

Saturday afternoon was also Senior Day. Red Auerbach Arena was teeming with parents, alumni and fans.

Foulis commented on the electric atmosphere at the game.

"There were a lot of feelings for the game to send the senior class out with a win at home," he said. "It's really their year. It's a team effort, but everyone's trying to work so [the seniors'] careers end on a positive note."

Proving Foulis' statement true, Strodthoff sentimentally revealed that she will miss her senior teammates after they graduate in the spring.

"I love the seniors. . I'm really going to miss these guys."

With Chapin, Rashford, guard Carmela Breslin '10 and center Kasey Gieschen '10 playing their last contest, the Judges also battled for a spot in NCAA Tournament.

Although the team did not make the postseason, Breslin noted the factors that motivated the team in its victory over NYU.

"NYU is our most vicious rival in the UAA," Breslin asserted. "We want[ed] to go hard for the win against them.

Rashford commented on the team's season, saying that her teammates battled hard.

"It's been an up-and-down season, but this team has a lot of heart and we really showed it tonight," she reflected.

Foulis related the season to one of growth.

"In a sense, that's what every year is," he said. "This year we had some new people in new roles. We had to replace those seniors from last year and integrate a big freshman class.