From NYU Athletics

Spencer Freedman scored 25 points while Michael Savarino had 22 of his own as New York University's men's basketball team earned an 88-82 win at Emory University on Friday night.

The Violets are now 16-7 on the season and 5-7 in University Athletic Association (UAA) play, picking up their third consecutive triumph. The team's five UAA victories under first-year head coach Dave Klatsky are the team's most league wins since 2015-16 (nine).

"I couldn't be more proud of this group," Klatsky said. "To go on the road and beat a team like Emory shows the fortitude this team possesses."  

Zay Freeney supplemented the graduate student duo's big scoring night, adding 11 points to round out the Violets' double-digit scorers.

NYU shot 17-of-34 from three-point range, its third time shooting 50 percent or higher from deep this season.

There were nine lead changes and four ties in the first half but Emory led for the majority of the period, going up by nine (18-9) on Benjamin Pearce's trey with 13:00 on the clock.

The Violets worked their way back and eventually took a 29-27 edge after a Cinque Stephens jumper with 3:45 to play. NYU maintained its advantage for the rest of the half, holding a 40-34 lead at the break.

Freedman scored 14 of his team-high 25 points in the second half as NYU shot 9-of-14 from distance after intermission. The Violets never trailed in the second and went up by 11 (63-52) on a triple from Holt Bashinsky halfway through the frame.

Emory didn't go away though, later knotting the score at 73-73 with just under three minutes left. But, NYU quickly regained the lead and shot 8-of-9 from the stripe in the final minute to secure a gritty road win.

"Spencer made some big plays late in the game but it was our defense that made some of the biggest plays," Klatsky added. "Guys were locked in trying to make plays on the defensive end."

Freedman shot 9-of-16 from the field and 6-of-9 from distance while adding a game-high eight assists to his point production. Savarino grabbed five boards and chipped in two assists and a block to go along with his 22 points.

Stephens and Quinn Clark contributed nine points apiece while Clark and Nikola Lipovic tied Savarino for the team-high in boards with five each.