From University of Rochester Athletics
Mack Montague scored 22 points, including six three-pointers, to lead a balanced scoring attack as the University of Rochester defeated New York University, 75-63, at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Sunday afternoon.
It was Rochester's eighth straight victory – since a 77-67 loss to NYU in New York City four weeks ago. The Yellowjackets improved to 16-6 overall, 9-2 in the University Athletic Association. Rochester remains tied with Emory University for first place in the UAA.
NYU had a five-game winning streak snapped. The Violets are 18-4 overall, 7-4 in the UAA. Two days ago, NYU defeated Emory, 73-56, in Atlanta. Rochester beat Brandeis on the same evening to pull into a tie for first. NYU was one game back. A victory over UR today would have left NYU tied with Rochester and possibly in a three-way tie for first depending on what Emory did. Emory defeated Brandeis, 66-58, in Atlanta on Sunday afternoon.
Sam Borst-Smith and Jared Seltzer scored 13 points each for Rochester. Borst—Smith added six rebounds and three treys. Seltzer had eight rebounds. Dylan Peretz scored 10 points with seven boards.
Evan Kupferberg had a double-double for NYU with 19 points and 11 boards. Costis Gontikas scored 16 points and grabbed eight rebounds. NYU held a 41-35 edge on the glass. The Violets scored 38 of their points in the paint
A putback by Gontikas gave NYU its last lead, 14-12, midway through the first half. Sparked by three three-point goals from Montague and one by Tucker Knox, Rochester went on a 16-2 run to take a 28-16 lead. The lead was 11, 35-22, with 2:37 left before NYU closed the half on a 7-0 run – a follow from Gontikas, two free throws by Kupferberg, and three by Jay Murphy – to pull to 35-29 at halftime.
Gontikas made back to back layups to start the second half (35-33). Rochester got a layup by Jacob Wittig and another trey by Montague to forge ahead, 42-33. NYU did not connect on its first outside shot until there were just under 13 minutes to play (Smith canned a three-pointer from right of the key). Until that time, every Violet point came at the line or in the paint.
Rochester boosted the lead to 11 after back to back layups by Zack Ayers and Peretz (55-44). NYU pulled within nine twice before Montague hit another three-pointer from the left corner (63-51 with seven minutes left). The lead eventually extended to 16, 71-55, on a rebound dunk by Peretz.