The New York University men's basketball team, ranked #17 in the nation by D3hoops.com, dropped a 69-58 decision to #12 University of Chicago in a University Athletic Association (UAA) game at the Ratner Athletics Center in Chicago, IL, on Friday night, January 22.The Violets (12-2, 2-2) took the early lead in the game, scoring the first two baskets. However, the Maroons (13-1, 3-1) then went on an 11-0 run and never lost the lead. They expanded it to as many as 15 points in the first half before taking a 34-24 advantage at halftime.The visitors rallied in the second half, slowly cutting their deficit.
Joe Timmes' three-pointer with nine minutes remaining brought the Violets to within four, 49-45.
"We showed tremendous resiliency, especially with guys in foul trouble and several players having to step up," said NYU Assistant Coach
Adam Parmenter.
However, Chicago countered with a 17-9 run to re-open a 12-point lead and the Violets never got any closer than nine points the rest of the way.
Costis Gontikas was the game's high scorer, notching 19 points on 8-of-10 shooting for NYU.
Evan Kupferberg was the Violets' only other double-digit scorer with 10 points.
HIGHLIGHTS:- Max Ralby finished with team-highs of eight rebounds, three assists and two steals for NYU.
- Brad Lahens played a career-high 14 minutes, contributing six points and three rebounds.- The Violets out-rebounded the Maroons 38-37.
- Jordan Smith led Chicago with 15 points, while Nate Brooks had a game-high 10 rebounds. "When you go on the road against the first-place team in the UAA, you can't afford to get off to a slow start like that," Parmenter added. "We're proud of the way the guys fought back, but we just couldn't make it all the way."
The Violets complete their UAA midwestern swing on Sunday afternoon, January 24, when they play at Washington University in St. Louis. Tip-off against the Bears in St. Louis, MO, is set for 12:00 pm Central time.
