From NYU Athletics

The New York University men's basketball team defeated the Stevens Institute of Technology 74-66 in overtime on Tuesday night, February 2, in Hoboken, NJ.

The Violets (15-3) could not hold a nine-point halftime lead, but outscored the Ducks (8-10) in the five-minute overtime to secure the victory.

"That's a team that averages 90-plus points a game and we held them to 66," said NYU Assistant Coach Taylor Roth. "We got it started with some defense, got the ball into the post on offense and did a great job with our second-chance opportunities."

Evan Kupferberg led the way for NYU with game highs of 24 points and 16 rebounds.

"The coaches put me in the right position to succeed tonight," Kupferberg said. "But, you've got to give Stevens credit for coming back. We knew it was going to be a challenge from the start."

The Violets led 33-24 at halftime and by a game-high 13 points, 62-49, after Max Ralby hit a three-pointer with 6:21 left in the game.

However, Stevens came all the way back and eventually tied the score at 64-64 on Alex Lorenz' layup with eight seconds remaining. Ralby missed on a three-pointer and the game went into overtime.  

"Basketball is a game of runs and you hit cold streaks from time to time," continued Roth. "If you stick with it, stay even keel and keep playing -- no scoreboard watching -- that's how you come out on top despite those runs."

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Ross Udine contributed 20 points and a game-high five assists.

- Patrick Burns tied a game high with 16 rebounds. He chippped in three steals, two blocks and six points. 

- Costis Gontikas chiped in 14 points and nine rebounds. The 6-foot-9 center also blocked a game-high five shots.

- Patrick Barron (19 pounts, 8 rebounds) and Lorenz (14 points, 12 rebounds) led Stevens.