Box Score

Sophomore D.J. Glavan hit four free throws in the final 19.8 seconds, helping the New York University men's basketball team pull away from the University of Redlands for a 69-60, season-opening victory Saturday in the Kean University THE ROCK Cougar Classic at Harwood Arena in Union, NJ.

NYU outscored Redlands 11-5 over the final 46.4 seconds, starting its late onslaught with a three-pointer by sophomore Richie Polan.  Sophomore Derek Becker hit two free throws during the waning moments, while junior Keith Jensen converted a lay-up to give the Violets a game-high-tying nine-point lead with three seconds left.

"We made some big shots down the stretch," NYU head coach Joe Nesci said.  "You always like to have an easy win, but when you have a close game with a minute to go, that's a good thing for a young team."

Senior John Mish paced NYU with 15 points and nine rebounds, with 11 of his points coming after intermission.  Glavan tallied 14 points, five assists and five rebounds.  Becker scored a career-high 12 points and added three assists, while Polan produced 11 points.

NYU entered halftime for the first time this season leading 37-28, as Becker went on a personal 8-0 run over the final 1:16 of the half.  The sophomore sandwiched a pair of three-pointers around a fast-break lay-up off a steal by Glavan.  Becker and Glavan each led the Violets with 10 first-half points.

For much of the second half, the Violets kept their lead between five and nine points before Matt Dietrich (game-high 27 points, 11-for-16 FG) got hot.  And then, a bucket by Alex Wolpe (11 points) pulled the Bulldogs within 56-55 with 3:57 remaining.

From there, the NYU defense clamped down, allowing just two baskets by Dietrick in the final 33.0 seconds. 

"I thought the guys did a good job of reading defenses and reacting to changing defenses," Nesci said.  "We showed pretty good composure.  Even when we had some miscues, we responded."

Both teams shot 50.0% from the field, with NYU going 24-for-48 from the floor and 7-for-13 beyond the arc (53.8%), while Redlands went 23-for-46 and 6-for-10 (60.0%).  The Violets owned a 30-23 edge on the glass.

NYU returns to action Sunday, Nov. 16, when it faces Kean at 6 p.m.