From NYU Athletics
Dom Cristiano totaled career highs of 26 points and 18 rebounds to lead six Violets in double-figure scoring as the New York University men's basketball team defeated visiting Elmira College 100-93 on Sunday, December 10, at the Sportsplex in Manhattan.
The host Violets (5-2) reached the century mark in scoring for the second consecutive game, having defeated the College of New Rochelle 100-87 on Thursday. It marked the first time since November 26 and December 1, 1996, that NYU had posted consecutive 100-point games.
"Our guys are doing a good job of being unselfish. No one mind who scores as long as we score," said Assistant Coach Michael McSloy.
The Soaring Eagles (1-6) took an early 9-5 on Sunday, but NYU utilized an 18-4 run to take a 10-point lead, 23-13, on Douglas Gertner's three-pointer with 12:56 left in the first half.
However, Jesse Adelson's four-point play ignited a half-ending 37-23 streak by Elmira as the Soaring Eagles took a 50-46 lead into the break.
Elmira increased its lead to a game-high seven points, 59-52, on Hayden Harkins' three-pointer with 17:24 remaining.
The Violets immediately went on a 10-2 run and took the lead for good on Gertner's two free throws with 14:17 left. They expanded it to a game-high 12 points, 96-84, on Ethan Feldman's two free throws with 1:57 remaining.
The Soaring Eagles never got closer than seven points the rest of the way.
It was the fourth double-double of Cristiano's young career, who reached the plateau in the first half, scoring 14 points and collecting 11 rebounds.
"Dom has a good nose for the ball," McSloy explained. "He does a good job of carving out space underneath the basket.".
The other Violets to score in double figures were Feldman (21), Ross Udine and Cameron Moore (11 each), and Gertner and Jimmy Martinelli (10 each).
STATS RIGHT:
- Jule Brown almost made in seven NYU players in double figures, finishing with nine points. He also had a team-high six assists.
- Elmira shot 58.3% (7-12) from three-point range in the first half, but were held to 9.0% (1-11) in the second.
"We adapted to the pace of the game," McSloy said. "We let up seven threes in the first half and only one in second. We didn't allow them open threes, especially in transition."
- Henry Cuffee led the Soaring Eagles with 24 points.