Violets Thwarted by #3 Washington, 71-63

14-0 Burst Proves Too Much for NYU to Overcome

Andy Stein led NYU with 13 points.

A 14-0 spurt spanning both halves helped #3-ranked Washington University create just enough separation from New York University en route to a 71-63 victory in University Athletic Association (UAA) men's basketball action Sunday afternoon at the Jerome S. Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.

Playing their final regular-season home game, the Violets (15-7, 6-5 UAA) pulled within 26-24 on a Carl Yaffe (6 points, 6 assists) three-point play 1:33 before halftime. However, the Bears (19-2, 10-1 UAA) responded with a three-ball by All-American point guard Sean Wallis to earn a 29-24 halftime advantage.

From there, All-American shooting guard Aaron Thompson displayed his shooting prowess on three consecutive trips downcourt, canning three trifectas in the first 1:45 of the second half as Washington secured a 40-24 cushion with 17:45 to go. Thompson scored a game-high 25 points, including a 6-for-9 performance on his three-point tries.

On the strength of an 11-1 run, the Violets whittled down their deficit to 60-54 with 7:16 remaining after an Andy Stein lay-up. Omar Meziab, #D.J. Glavan and Kyle Stockmal# also knocked down three-pointers for NYU, which shot 46.0% (23-for-50) from beyond the arc and 37.5% (9-for-24) overall.

Washington responded with a 6-1 rally that featured four free throws by Thompson that restored its lead to a more comfortable 66-55 with 5:25 left in regulation. From there, the Violets never got closer than 67-61 after a drive by Stein with 1:18 remaining.

Spencer Gay finished with 16 points and Wallis contributed 13 tallies and seven assists for Washington, which shot 51.0 (26-for-51) overall, 44.4% (8-for-18) on its three-point attempts and 64.7% (11-for-17) at the foul line

Stein paced NYU with 13 points, while Meziab tallied 11 in his final regular-season home game. Polan produced seven points and 10 boards for the Violets, who were outrebounded by a 31-29 margin.

Prior to the game, NYU honored its three seniors: Meziab, #Chip Borsi and Keith Jensen#. Borsi made his first collegiate start alongside Jensen and Meziab, who are both three-year starters.

NYU will play its final three regular-season games on the road, beginning with an 8 p.m. tip-off Friday, Feb. 19, in Atlanta against UAA rival Emory University.