From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's basketball team began the new year
with a 60-44 victory over Gettysburg College on the first day of
the 2015 NYU Holiday Classic on Friday afternoon, January 2, at the
Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
NYU (6-2) shot 42.1 percent from the floor, which is almost 10
percent lower than its season average. The Violets were able to
adjust accordingly and play strong defense, holding Gettysburg
(6-4) to 32.2 percent shooting for the victory.
"We did a good job today pulling out a win when our shots
weren't falling," said NYU Senior Assistant Coach John
Pelin. "When you don't make shots you have to play defense
and get stops at the other end and we were able to do that."
NYU was once again led by some stellar post play courtesy of junior
big men Evan Kupferberg and Costis
Gontikas. Kupferberg led all players with 22 points and nine
rebounds, while Gontikas chipped in 15 points and five rebounds, as
well as a game-high three blocked shots.
The Violets took their initial lead over the Bullets (6-4) with
17:22 remaining in the first half and didn't look back. NYU would
not trail for the remainder of the contest.
Overall, the Violets controlled their usual territory underneath
the basket. NYU outrebounded Gettysburg 45-32 and outscored them
42-20 in points in the paint.
"We always try to get the ball inside," continued Pelin. "We like
to play inside-out, and Ross is the guy who makes us go. He makes
plays for everybody, penetrates, draws the defense, and drops the
ball in for guys to make layups."
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Ross Udine finished with some well-rounded
statistics on Friday afternoon. The rookie point guard chipped in
10 points while leading all players with eight assists and tying
for a team high with two steals.
- Alec Papesch was second on the Violets with
eight rebounds. He finished with five points and an assist, as
well.
- Max Ralby and Patrick
Burns each pulled down five rebounds. Ralby chipped in
three points and an assist.