Mish Named MVP, Men's Hoops Wins Tip-Off Tourney Title

John Mish was named MVP for the second time in as many tournaments.

Tournament MVP John Mish contributed 12 points and 11 rebounds as the New York University men's basketball team held off Connecticut College, 70-62, and captured the championship of the NYU Tip-Off Tournament on Sunday afternoon at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center.

Junior Keith Jensen scored a team-high 15 points, including a clutch three-pointer with 1:11 remaining, as the Violets (4-0) pulled away after the Camels (1-2) pulled within 62-57 with 1:27 remaining on a three-pointer by All-Tournament Team honoree Shavar Bernier (17 points).

In addition to NYU getting Mish's fifth career double-double, sophomores Richie Polan (10 points) and D.J. Glavan (8 points, 7 rebounds, 4 assists) earned spots on the All-Tournament Team.

"Defensively, our guys worked really hard," NYU head coach Joe Nesci said. "Connecticut College is really disciplined and a real good team. I thought we were challenged for 40 minutes. Our guys did a really good job top to bottom."

Before it earned the opportunity to lift the championship trophy, though, NYU saw a 16-point second-half lead whittled down until Nesci called a timeout. After the stoppage, Glavan found Jensen open on the wing, and the junior calmly buried the triple.

"We need him on both ends of the floor," Nesci said. "He did a great job defensively, and that three he hit that put us up eight was big."

The shot capped a strong second half for Jensen, who tallied 13 of his points after the Violets took a 29-24 halftime lead.

For NYU, junior Zachary Kuba and freshman Andy Stein also scored 10 points. It was a career high for Stein.

Overall, the Violets shot 54.2% (26-for-48) from the field, 56.0% (14-for-25) from the foul line and owned a 39-20 rebounding advantage.

For Connecticut, Ulises Veras tallied 13 points and Billy Karis added 10. The Camels, who are coached by former NYU assistant Tom Satran, shot 43.4% (23-for-53) from the floor and 76.9% (10-for-13) from the charity stripe.

NYU returns to action Saturday, Nov. 29, when it hosts New York City College of Technology at 2 p.m.

NYU TIP-OFF ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

MVP: John Mish (NYU)

Shevar Bernier (Connecticut)
Kyle Finklea (Immaculata)
D.J. Glavan (NYU)
George Kunkel (Baruch)
Richie Polan (NYU)