From NYU Athletics

The New York University men's basketball team opened its 2014-15 season with an 80-51 win over John Jay College in the opening round of the NYU Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, November 15, at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan. 

Three Violets scored in double figures, led by Joe Timmes' career-high 15 points. Max Ralby had 13 points, seven rebounds, four assists, and four steals, while Ross Udine added 11 points in his collegiate debut.

"I liked out energy. I liked our effort," said NYU Head Coach Joe Nesci. "It's good to get so many people involved. We had really good play from our guys off the bench tonight."

One of those non-starters, Alec Papesch, had a near double-double with nine points and a game-high 11 rebounds.

The Violets scored the first five points of the game, never trailed, and cruised to a 37-25 halftime lead. They continued the dominanace to start the second half, beginning with a 10-4 run to increase the lead to 20.

"I think at the start of the second half, right off, we re-established things and got some inside touches for our big players," Nesci said. "I think that set the tone for the rest of the game." 

NYU increased its lead to as many as 32 points late in the second half. 

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Fifteen players saw action for the Violets.

- Evan Kupferberg finished with seven rebounds, while Costis Gontikas had six.

- Udine added a game-high six assists.

"It was great to get the season going after so much practice time," Nesci added.  "This is always an exciting time."