Becker Sparks Stirring Comeback by Men's Basketball

Sophomore Scores Career-Best 16 in Second Half of 66-54 Victory Over Wesleyan

Derek Becker sparked a 26-3 run in the second half.

Derek Becker scored 12 his career-high 16 points during a 26-3 second-half surge, sparking a New York University comeback from 13 points down in the final stanza en route to a 66-54 victory over Wesleyan University in non-conference men's basketball action.

Wesleyan (4-8) led 43-30 with 13:35 remaining after a three-point play by Kevin Scura (18 points, 6-for-12 FG, 5-for-8 3FG, 4 rebounds, 3 assists), but that only seemed to spur an aboutface by the Violets (10-2) at both ends of the floor. Becker helped fuel the resurgence, with his defense leading to several easy fast-break baskets for himself and other teammates, as NYU took a 56-46 lead with 5:25 remaining following a Chip Borsi lay-up set up by an Omar Meziab steal.

During the decisive onslaught, Becker hit a pair of three-pointers, converted a pair of lay-ups and sank a pair of free throws. Ultimately, he finished the game 5-for-6 from the field and 4-for-4 at the charity stripe in just 18 minutes off the bench, equaling his previous career best of 12 points produced in a victory over the University of Redlands in the season opener Nov. 15.

"Derek changed the game," NYU head coach Joe Nesci said. "His defensive plays not only put points on the board, but it sparked our other guys and their energy level. He was huge."

NYU needed a stirring reversal of fortune to avoid losing to the Cardinals. Wesleyan overcame an early 9-3 deficit just 5:23 into the game by reeling off the next 12 points, then ending the first half on a 25-9 run to take a 28-18 lead into the locker room. Jason Mendell (11 points) buried three treys to lead the Cardinals with nine points during the opening half, while their zone defense limited NYU to 25.8% (8-for-31) shooting, including just 16.7% (2-for-12) from long range.

Richie Polan led the Violets with 13 points and also grabbed six rebounds, while John Mish added 10 points and eight rebounds. Keith Jensen contributed 10 points and seven rebounds, as NYU owned a 40-28 edge on the glass and overcame a cold first half to shoot 41.0% (25-for-61) from the field.

"I thought our defensive intensity was the difference in the game, especially when we couldn't make shots in the first half," Nesci said. "We were so offensively challenged, but our guys never gave up on the defensive end. I think that and our rebounding were the difference."

Stan Grayson finished with 15 points and seven rebounds for the Cardinals, who shot 38.3% (18-for-47) from the floor, but 44.4% (8-for-13) from three-point range. They shot 76.9% (10-for-13) from the charity stripe.

NYU returns to action Saturday, Jan. 17, when it travels to University Athletic Association (UAA) rival Brandeis University for a 3 p.m. tip-off.