NYU Women’s Basketball Breaks D-III Record with 82nd Straight Win | NCAA Basketball News

NYU Women’s Basketball Makes History with Record-Breaking Win

NEW YORK – The New York University Violets are rewriting the record books in Division III women’s basketball. On Sunday, February 1, 2026, NYU secured its 82nd consecutive victory, defeating Carnegie Mellon 69-58 and surpassing Washington University of St. Louis’s previous record of 81 straight wins set between 1998 and 2001. The win elevates NYU’s record to a perfect 20-0 this season.

The atmosphere following the game was one of relief and celebration for the Violets. “Thrilled we beat Wash U for that record,” said NYU coach Meg Barber in a post-game interview. Barber, who herself played for NYU during Washington University’s dominant run, acknowledged the significance of surpassing their long-standing rival. “I’m a competitive person and wildly respect this league and to have any type of streak is incredible.” She added, “I would say a sigh of relief. Hopefully this quiets the outside noise, let’s us get back to our main goals [of winning another national championship].”

The game wasn’t without its challenges. Carnegie Mellon proved to be a formidable opponent, pushing NYU to the limit, particularly in a rematch from a February 1st contest where the Violets won by only one point. This latest matchup saw the Tartans trim the deficit to five points, 58-53, with just under five minutes remaining in the fourth quarter. However, NYU responded with key plays down the stretch, including consecutive layups from Zahra Alexander, who contributed all seven of her points in the final quarter, and a crucial three-pointer from Caroline Peper just before the shot clock expired.

Peper led all scorers with 27 points, while Brooke Batchelor added 15 points and nearly secured a double-double with nine rebounds. The Violets, known for their strong offensive play, ranking second nationally in field-goal percentage, faced a tougher shooting night, connecting on just 36.7 percent of their field goal attempts and 11 of 31 from beyond the arc. However, their defensive effort proved decisive, forcing 15 turnovers and limiting Carnegie Mellon to 3-of-16 shooting from three-point range.

While NYU’s achievement is remarkable within Division III, it still falls short of the overall NCAA record for consecutive wins, held by UConn with an astounding 111-game streak. The Huskies also hold the second-longest streak at 90 games. Nevertheless, the Violets’ accomplishment is a testament to their consistent excellence and dedication.

This historic run isn’t lost on the players. “For us, it was super important that it’s NYU we’re representing to beat our rival’s record,” Peper stated, highlighting the pride in representing their institution and surpassing a significant milestone. Peper is the only player on the current roster to have experienced a loss while playing for NYU, having been a freshman during a tournament defeat against Transylvania in the Elite Eight of the Division III NCAA tournament.

The Violets’ success extends beyond the current season. They are the two-time defending national champions and are now focused on securing their fifth straight UAA Conference title and a third consecutive national championship. Only Washington University has achieved a similar feat, winning four consecutive titles from 1998 to 2001.

Despite the record-breaking achievement, Coach Barber emphasized that the team remains focused on their ultimate goals. “I think it hasn’t been the priority, but it’s something that we’re very excited to represent a D-III record in a really big way,” she said. “We didn’t win a national championship today. We won a game and are focused on Friday on going 1-0 again. That has been the main priority the whole time.” The team celebrated the win with a traditional water drenching of their coach in the locker room.

Looking ahead, NYU has five regular-season games remaining and the potential for six more if they advance to the national championship tournament. If the Violets continue their winning ways, they could potentially surpass UConn’s all-time NCAA record early in the 2026-2027 season, further cementing their place in college basketball history. During the streak, only three teams have come within single digits of defeating NYU: University of Chicago (lost by six), Whittier (lost by eight), and Case Western Reserve (lost by eight).