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Balanced Attack Leads No. 11 Washington University Past NYU

Balanced Attack Leads No. 11 Washington University Past NYU
Posted: Jan 20, 2017

From Washington University Athletics

The No. 11-ranked Washington University in St. Louis men's basketball team had six players score in double figures as the Bears rallied from a one-point halftime deficit to post an 89-72 win over New York University Friday in University Athletic Association (UAA) play in St. Louis.

WashU improved its overall record to 12-3, 4-0 in the conference, while New York falls to 6-8, 1-3 in the UAA. The Bears have won six-straight games, their longest winning streak since the 2014-15 season.

WashU led 11-3 in the opening seven minutes of the game after limiting NYU to 1-of-7 shooting from the field. A 7-0 run by the Violets trimmed the lead to 11-10, junior Kevin Kucera responded with a three on the ensuing possession. 

Senior Michael Bregman nailed a three to give the Bears a 30-29 lead with 4:33 to play before half, and then a bucket by junior David Schmelter and a free-throw by junior Matt Highsmith made it 33-29. NYU ended the half on a 7-1 run to take a 36-35 lead at half.

WashU shot 40.6 percent (13-32) from the field, and was outrebounded 22-19. NYU turned five offensive rebounds into a 13-4 advantage in second-chance points.

NYU scored the first five points of the second half to jump ahead 41-35, but WashU followed with a 7-0 run to regain the 42-41 advantage. The Violets got the lead back to six (52-46), but a three-pointer by Hooks and a lay-up by junior Andrew Sanders highlighted a five-point possession to get the lead down to one.

WashU followed with an 11-0 run to take the lead for good at 62-55 with 10:02 to play. The lead grew to 11 (74-63) with 6:17 to play after a steal and a lay-up by junior Jake Knupp.

Highsmith and Kucera scored 14 points each, while Hooks added 13. Knupp, Sanders and Schmelter also scored in double figures with 12 points apiece.

WashU shot 46.3 percent (31-67) from the field, including 51.4 percent (18-35) in the second half. The Bears had 18 assists and turned the ball over just nine times in the win. WashU also had a season-high six blocks and 11 steals. 

Joe Timmes led New York with 24 points, while Ross Udine added 14.

WashU hosts Brandeis University (6-8, 2-2 UAA) on Sunday, Jan. 22, at 11 a.m.

BEAR NOTEBOOK: WashU leads the all-time series with NYU, 44-15 … Sanders has scored in double figures in 14 of 15 games played, and went over 600 points for his career … WashU is 4-2 at home this year … The Violets have lost six of their last seven games … WashU has won nine-straight conference games dating back to last year, the sixth-longest active winning streak in Division III … Kucera tied a career-high with five steals, while sophomore Marcus Meyer tied a career-best with three blocks.