From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's basketball team closed out its
non-conference regular-season schedule on Monday night, January 12,
defeating Hunter College 81-59 at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center
in Manhattan.
The Violets (9-3) earned the victory via a balanced scoring effort
with four players in double figures, led by junior
guard Hakeem Harris' career- and team-high 18
points. The 6-foot-1 transfer from Division I Seton Hall University
was 4-of-6 from three-point range on Monday night. In addition, NYU
shot well on the night (29-for-54, 53.7 percent) and held Hunter
(6-8) to just 31.5 percent (17-of-54).
"Hakeem's a good shooter," said NYU Head Coach Joe
Nesci. "He brings energy. He's a solid defender. He
definitely gave us a big lift tonight."
Overall, NYU controlled the area beneath the baskets. The Violets
outrebounded the Hawks 47-28 and held the visitors to just nine
offensive rebounds. NYU also outscored Hunter 40-18 in points in
the paint and 17-6 in second-chance points.
"Our energy level was a lot higher in the second half," continued
Nesci. "In the first half, our energy was lacking. Fortunately, our
rebounding was rock solid and that's why we were able to have any
sort of lead in the first half."
The Violets started off the contest a bit slowly, shooting 40.7
percent from the floor in the first half and taking a slim 30-26
lead into the locker room.
"In the second half, our energy on offense was better," said Nesci.
"We found guys in the post. We started finishing inside more and
that led to some more openings on the perimeter and we started
knocking down shots from outside."
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Costis Gontikas had a dominant performance
for NYU. The junior center finished with 16 points and a
game-high-tying 11 rebounds for his second double-double of the
season and fourth of his career. Gontikas also had a block, a steal
and an assist.
- Patrick Burns had his best game of the
season, chipping in a career-high-tying 14 points and a career-best
11 rebounds for his second-career double-double. The junior forward
also registered one block, one steal and an assist in a
season-high-tying 25 minutes.
- Alec Papesch rounded out the Violets who
scored in double figures. The sophomore big man fell one rebound
shy of a double-double, finishing with 11 points and nine rebounds
to go along with one block and a steal.
- Max Ralby was 3-for-3 from the floor
(2-for-2 from long range) to finish with eight points. He also
tallied three assists, two rebounds and a block.
- Ross Udine led all players with eight
assists. The freshman point guard also chipped in six points.
- Overall, 15 Violets saw the floor on Monday. Freshman
forward Landon Kupferberg made his collegiate
debut, chipping in two points and a rebound in two minutes.