Behind first-half sharpshooting, several solid individual efforts and stellar team defense throughout, New York University knocked off #8-ranked Brandeis University, 62-50, in the University Athletic Association (UAA) men's basketball opener for both teams Saturday evening at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
Keith Jensen led NYU with 16 points and Richie Polan added his second double-double of the season, finishing with 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Violets (9-2), who snapped a seven-game losing streak against the Judges (8-2) while earning their first victory over a nationally ranked squad since defeating then-#6 University of Rochester, 92-85, on Feb. 17, 2008 at the Coles Sports Center.
NYU last beat Brandeis, 79-75, on Jan. 14, 2006, in Manhattan.
"This is a big win, althought it's only one win and we know that," Polan said. "We started out strong, maintained the lead and we finished. This is a big boost for our team."
"For me, I'm just really proud of our guys because I see us working hard to get better," NYU head coach Joe Nesci said. "Our guys worked hard all week getting ready for this game. I'm happy when hard work translates into a win."
NYU trailed 7-3 at the outset, but Jensen scored all 13 of his points during a 25-8 burst that staked the home team a 28-15 cushion after a Kyle Stockmal three-pointer 8:14 before the break. The Violets hit 10 of their first 14 shots, including five of their first seven three-point tries, and converted 59.1% (13-for-22) of their attempts to take a 34-24 halftime advantage.
Just as instrumental to NYU's success was its ability to contest shots: Brandeis went 7-for-29 in the first half and ended up shooting just 24.6% (15-for-61) overall. Furthermore, the Judges converted just four of their 27 three-point attempts (14.8%).
After intermission, the Violets never saw their lead salted below six points, answering any charge by Brandeis with a succession of defensive stands as both teams struggled to operate offensively in the second half. Nesci's 6-8 frontline of Polan, Andy Stein (8 points) and Carl Yaffe (9 points, 5 rebounds) altered several attempts in the paint area and helped NYU own a 39-32 advantage on the boards.
"Our guys take anything for granted. I just think we go out and play really hard," Nesci said. "I know Brandeis didn't shoot well, but we had to rebound. Our guys defended really hard."
Led by Terrell Hollins' 14 points, seven rebounds and four steals, Brandeis forced 21 Violet turnovers, but scored only 18 points off them. The Judges, who canned 16 of their 19 free-throw tries (84.2%), also got 12 points from Kenny Small.
Before resuming its UAA schedule next Friday night at the University of Chicago, the Violets will conclude their non-conference slate Monday, Jan. 11, with a 7 p.m. tilt at Wesleyan College.
