From NYU Athletics
The New York University men's basketball team defeated the
#21-ranked (D3hoops.com) University of Chicago 85-68 on
Sunday afternoon, January 25, at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center
in Manhattan. The win was the Violets' second-straight victory over
a Top-25 team.
NYU (12-4, 3-2 University Athletic Association) held the lead for
most of the first half against Chicago (11-5, 3-2 UAA) and by as
many as nine points on two separate occasions. The Maroons were
able to get hot down the stretch – they shot 11-18 from
beyond the arc in the first half – and went on a 15-4 run to
take a 47-44 lead at the break.
"We knew they were capable of making threes," said NYU
Assistant Coach Nelson Albino. "We wanted to make
them shoot contested threes, and we didn't do a good enough job of
getting through their screens in the first half.
"I thought our game plan was correct in the first half; we just
didn't execute it," continued Albino. "We considered halftime
adjustments, but we decided against it, stuck with the game plan
and did it better and harder in the second half."
The Violets came out firing in the second half, jumped out to a
22-4 run and never trailed again. NYU's defense held Chicago to 0-9
from long range in the second half as the Maroons finished 23-of-61
(37.7 percent) from the floor overall.
"Offensively, we're in a rhythm," added Albino. "I think we have a
better understanding as a team of how we can score. Defensively,
beating two Top-25 teams this weekend shows that we have the
ability to guard a multiple of ways."
The Violets finished 11-22 (50.0 percent) from three-point range,
led by Hakeem Harris. The junior guard shot 6-11
from three and 8-15 overall en route to a game-best 24 points. In
addition, Harris produced a highlight reel play on one of his two
assists, a behind-the-back helper while driving to the basket that
was put away by Evan Kupferberg at 13:25 in
the second half for two points.
"Hakeem brings a consistent scoring threat from the perimeter,"
Nelson said. "His ability to shoot is terrific, as it allows our
big guys more space and time underneath. Evan is getting easier
shots and cannot be double-teamed as much because the defense has
to spread out more."
HIGHLIGHTS:
- Kupferberg was the game's second-leading scorer, finishing with
22 points on 11-12 shooting (91.7 percent). The junior forward also
added five rebounds and two assists.
- Costis Gontikas registered a game-high-tying
10 rebounds. The junior center chipped in eight points and a
game-best two blocks.
- Iyoha Agho finished 3-5 from beyond the arc,
scoring nine points in 14 minutes.
- Alec Papesch contributed seven points and
six rebounds in 15 minutes.
- Max Ralby chipped in five points, six
rebounds and two steals. The junior guard also led all players with
a game-high seven assists. Ross Udine had six
helpers, as well, along with five points.