The New York University men's and women's basketball teams will begin University Athletic Association (UAA) play this weekend, as both squads host Brandeis University on Saturday, January 11, at the Coles Sports Center.

Both teams finished up their non-conference schedules with road victories vs. Hunter College on Tuesday, January 7. The women's team won its game by a margin of 95-58, while the Violet men produced a 66-63 victory. 

The women currently sport a perfect 11-0 record. It is the first time the squad has started 11-0 since the 2008-09 campaign which resulted in a trip to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA Tournament. The team has been led by a balanced offensive attack that features three players averaging double figures in points and nine who average at least five points per game. The Violets also rank first among all Division III teams in both scoring margin (+29.6) and rebound margin (+18.1).

Last year's UAA Rookie of the Year, captain Megan Dawe, and Honorable Mention All-UAA honoree Riley Wurtz have been leading contributors for the Violets thus far. Dawe leads the team with 13.3 points per game  and 7.3 rebounds per game, while Wurtz has pulled in seven boards per game to go with 9.3 points. Wurtz has also dished out 5.2 assists per game, leading not only the team but all UAA players thus far. A pair of freshmen, Kaitlyn Read and Lindsey Oldshue, have been an integral part of the NYU offense as well, averaging 10.9 and 10.3 points, respectively.

On the men's side, NYU hs posted an overall record of 10-1. The team's lone loss of the season came at the hands of Stevens Institute of Technology on the road, in overtime, on December 8. Much of the Violets' success can be attributed to their stellar defense and rebounding. NYU currently leads all Division III teams in defensive field goal percentage (.344) and rebound margin (+14.7).

Sophomore forward Evan Kupferberg has been a standout performer, leading the team and averaging nearly a double-double with 18.1 points and 9.7 rebounds per game. Both of those numbers rank second among all UAA players. Bolstering the Violets inside is fellow sophomore big man Costis Gontikas, who has contributed consistent scoring and rebounding with averages of 13.9 points and 6.1rebounds. Senior captain Ryan Tana has been effective from the guard position, averaging 12.5 points and doling out 4.7 assists per game, while sophomore guard Max Ralby leads the team and the UAA with 2.3 steals per game. Ralby has also recorded a team-best 4.8 assists per game, and has chipped in with averages of 6.1 points and 5.2 rebounds.

Saturday's action will be preceded by the women's basketball alumni game. The NYU women are set to tip-off against Brandeis at 2:00 PM, while the men are set to get underway at 4:00 PM.

Both games will be streaming live at NYUAthletics.tv and Live Stats will be available at GoNYUAthletics.com