From NYU Athletics

The New York University men's basketball team picked up a 71-50 victory at Brandeis University to close out its regular-season on Saturday afternoon, February 27, in Waltham, MA.

The Violets (20-5, 9-5 University Athletic Association) reached the 20-win plateau for the first time since the 2011-12 season when they were 21-6 and advanced to the second round of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Brandeis fell to 9-16 overall and 3-11 in the UAA.

This is the first time NYU has swept the season series with the Judges since 2003-04.

"We're really proud of the whole team," said NYU Assistant Coach Taylor Roth. "Going 20-5 in the regular season is a tremendous accomplishment and it's a result of a lot of hard work from everyone on the team. 

NYU came out of the gates quickly and jumped out to a 9-2 lead to force a Brandeis timeout with just under six minutes gone in the first half. The Violets eventually went on a 12-0 run and jumped out to a 29-8 lead – their largest of the half. Ross Udine opened and closed the run with a pair of threes at 8:38 and 5:23.

"We got off to a great start on the defensive end and it led to some great opportunities offensively," continued Roth.

Jordan Cooper (team highs of 15 points and six rebounds) and the Judges closed the gap, though, and NYU took an 11-point, 29-18 lead into the break.

The Violets outscored Brandeis by 10, 42-32, in the second half en route to the 21-point victory. NYU's largest lead of the game came after Joe Timmes sank a three with 1:11 to go (71-45). Overall, Evan Kupferberg led all players in points (17) and rebounds (9).

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Udine finished with 15 points and three assists.

- Costis Gontikas notched 14 points, three assists and two blocks.

- Tony Bai chipped in 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.

"Tony gave us a nice lift off the bench and made some big shots," said Roth.