The New York University men's basketball team dropped a 91-74 decision to host Purchase College on Tuesday, December 6, in Purchase, NY.
The Violets fell to 4-2 with the loss, while the Panthers are now 6-2.
Purchase's Brian Berrios scored the first bucket of the game as the Panthers raced out to a quick 13-4 lead. Still trailing by eight, the Violets went on a 12-5 run to cut their deficit to one, 24-23, on
Joe Timmes' three-pointer with 8:23 left in the half.
However, Purchase scored the next 11 points and then upped their lead to 16 points, 48-32, at halftime.
The Panthers continued to impress as the second half got underway, increasing their lead to a game-high 24 points, 74-50, with 11:34 to play in the game.
The Violets, however, did not play dead. Utilizing a 22-7 run, NYU cut its deficit to 11, 83-72, on
Ross Udine's three-pointer with 3:35 remaining. That was as close as the Violets were able to get, as the Panthers ended the game on an 8-2 run.
"I was very impressed with our effort in the second half," said Assistant Coach
Taylor Roth. "We just kept fighting on both ends. We made our free throws and we executed much better during that run."
Ross finished with a game-high 22 points for the Violets. Timmes had 14 and
Ted Georgiadis added 13.
Berrios led five Panthers in double figures with 20 points.
"Purchase is a very good team," Roth said. "They showed the ability to make tough shots."
NOTABLES:
- Timmes and
Jimmy Martinelli led the Violets with seven rebounds apiece. Martinelli also scored nine points, had a team-best three assists and added two steals.
- Udine shot 9-13 from the field and 3-4 from behind the arc.
- Timmes recorded a four-point play with 15:13 left in the game.
"We just have to keep working hard everyday in practice," Roth explained. "If we do that, we'll be in great shape."
The Violets return to action this Saturday, December 10, when they host Stevens Institute of Technology at the Sportsplex. Tipoff is set for 1:00 pm and will be preceded by the annual Alumni Game at 11:00 am.
