Men's Basketball Toppled in Double OT by Emory, 80-79

Omar Meziab sank four three-pointers in 30 minutes.

Although New York University overcame a 10-point deficit late in regulation and found itself in position to take the winning shot in the first overtime, Emory University scored five of the first six points during the second extra session and earned an 80-79, double-overtime victory in University Athletic Association (UAA) men's basketball action Saturday afternoon at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.

In a game featuring 21 ties and 20 lead changes, NYU (15-9, 4-9 UAA) trailed 56-46 with 6:34 remaining before Omar Meziab tallied eight of his season-high 16 points to highlight a 10-0 outburst that knotted the contest at 56-all with 4:03 remaining.

NYU found itself down 63-62 with the ball during the waning moments of regulation, but John Mish outbatted three Emory (7-17, 2-11 UAA) defenders for an offensive rebound and was fouled with 0.7 second remaining. He hit one of the two ensuing free throws, ensuring another five minutes of basketball.

In the opening extra period, a bucket by Mish, who recorded his fourth straight double-double and 11th overall with 23 points and 11 boards in a career-best 46 minutes, made it 70-67 with 1:41 to go, but a three-pointer from Alex Gulotta (12 tallies) with 30 ticks left tied the game at 70. NYU held the ball for the final shot, but a three-point try from D.J. Glavan (13 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists) missed.

After Mish went 1-for-2 at the charity stripe to start the second overtime, Julien Williams buried a trey and Chad Hixon (15 points, 9 rebounds) canned a jumper to make it 75-71 with 2:36 left. The Violets pulled within 75-74 on a Keith Jensen (19 points, 8 in the second OT) three-ball, but came up short despite having two chances to either forge a tie or take the lead.

"We knew Emory's been playing everybody close lately, so we certainly expected a tough game," NYU head coach Joe Nesci said. "I give our guys credit for coming back. We had our chances and didn't capitalize."

NYU shot 43.5% (30-for-69) overall, but 26.9% (7-for-26) from beyond the three-point arc and went just 12-for-25 (48.0%) at the charity stripe.

Anthony Fernandez scored 19 points and Austin Claunch contributed 11 tallies and nine assists for Emory, which relied on Fernandez and Claunch in seeing its bench outscore NYU's by a 41-2 margin. The Eagles also owned a 47-36 rebounding advantage despite getting outscored 36-20 in the paint. Emory 43.9% (29-for-66) from the field, 36.8% (7-for-19) from three-point range and 75.0% (15-for-20) at the foul line.

NYU will host Brandeis University in its final regular-season game Saturday, Feb. 28, at 4 p.m. Prior to the game, the Violets will honor seniors Mish and Bill Morrissey.