NYU Women's Basketball Nears Division III Winning Streak Record

Coach Meg Barber leads Violets to brink of surpassing Washington University's 81-game streak

Published on Feb. 6, 2026

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The NYU women's basketball team, led by coach Meg Barber, is just two wins away from breaking the Division III record for longest winning streak. The Violets have won 80 consecutive games, closing in on the 81-game record set by Washington University of St. Louis from 1998-2001. The team will have a chance to tie the record on Friday against Case Western University, and could break it on Sunday against Carnegie Mellon.

Why it matters

This potential record-breaking streak is a testament to the sustained excellence of the NYU women's basketball program under Coach Barber's leadership. Surpassing the previous record held by a rival school would be a significant milestone, both for the team and the university. However, the players remain focused on their ultimate goal of winning a third consecutive national championship, rather than solely chasing the winning streak record.

The details

The Violets have won 18 games so far this season without a loss. Their closest game was a one-point victory over Carnegie Mellon last Sunday. During the 80-game winning streak, only two other teams had come within single digits of defeating NYU - the University of Chicago lost by six points and Whittier lost by eight. Coach Barber says the team has been working with a mental performance coach this week to help manage the pressure and nerves as they approach the record.

  • The Violets (18-0) will have a chance to tie the record on Friday, February 14, 2026 when they visit Case Western University.
  • NYU will have the opportunity to break the record on Sunday, February 16, 2026 at Carnegie Mellon.

The players

Meg Barber

The head coach of the NYU women's basketball team, who was a player for the Violets when rival Washington University was approaching the Division III winning streak record that NYU is now close to breaking.

Caroline Peper

A senior on the NYU women's basketball team, who is the only player on the current roster to have lost a game in college, when the Violets were beaten by Transylvania in the Elite Eight of the Division III NCAA Tournament during her freshman year.

Yasmene Clark

A junior forward on the NYU women's basketball team, who misses one practice per week due to her class schedule at the Brooklyn campus, but works individually with the coaches to make up for the missed team practice time.

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What they’re saying

“When I think about it being a fan of this program and not just the coach of this program, I would be excited to pass (Washington University) just because of what it represented to me as a player here. Knowing how hard it is to do in the league that we're in. I have an alumni group that blows up after every game.”

— Meg Barber, Head Coach, NYU Women's Basketball (riverbender.com)

“Keeping the streak going wasn't one of our goals coming into the season. I honestly don't think any of us were really aware of it before this past weekend. But, you know, this streak isn't really what defines our team. It's more of, you know, the end goal, which is, again, another national championship.”

— Caroline Peper, Senior, NYU Women's Basketball (riverbender.com)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This potential record-breaking streak by the NYU women's basketball team demonstrates the program's sustained excellence under Coach Barber's leadership, as well as the players' ability to balance their academic and athletic commitments at a top university. While the streak is an impressive feat, the team remains focused on their ultimate goal of winning another national championship.