New York, N.Y. – Stockton University (8-3) returned to action for the first time in over two weeks by taking on New York University in the first round of the NYU Holiday Classic. The Ospreys were overwhelmed 85-27 by NYU, which is ranked first in the nation by D3hoops.com and second by the Women's Basketball Coaches Association.
 
Madison LaRosa (Oceanport/Shore Regional) and freshman Imene Fathi (Wildwood/Wildwood) topped Stockton with six points apiece. Emma Morrone (Maywood/Hackensack) netted four markers.
 
Madison Dulude (Sewell/Washington Twp.) grabbed a game-high seven rebounds and added two points and two steals while Fathi dished two of Stockton's three assists. The Ospreys were hampered by 20.4 percent shooting (11-54), including 2-13 (15.4%) from three-point range.
 
Stockton entered the game as winners of two straight and four of their last five but could not match NYU, which is traditionally one of the top teams in NCAA Division III. The Violets shot a torrid 7-11 (63.6%) from three-point range to build an insurmountable lead in the first half.
 
The fourth quarter was Stockton's best as they scored 15 points, however the outcome was already decided as the Ospreys fell 85-27. Fathi scored all six of her markers in the final period.
 
Belle Pellecchia led NYU with a game-high 14 points followed by Jenny Walker and Natalie Bruns with 12 and 11 points respectively.
 
Stockton will continue play in the NYU Holiday Classic tomorrow with a matchup against St. Joseph's-Long Island at 1 p.m.