The New York University men's basketball team was defeated by Carnegie Mellon University 78-72 on Sunday, January 15, in a University Athletic Association (UAA) contest at the Sportsplex in Manhattan.

The Violets (6-7, 1-2 UAA) trailed the entire first half, although there were three ties. The Tartans (9-5, 3-0), had a nine-point lead on three occasions before taking a 38-31 advantage into intermission.    

NYU scored the first eight points of the second half to take their first lead of the game. The Violets went on to lead by six, 51-45, on Joe Timmes' three-pointer with 10:50 remaining.

The Tartans followed with a 14-2 run to take their own six-point lead, 59-53, with just under eight minutes left. 

Undeterred, NYU responded with a 12-3 streak and took a 65-62 lead with 4:41 remaining.  

However, Carnegie Mellon scored the next 10 points and NYU never got closer than four the rest of the way.

The Tartans were able to accumulate a decided rebounding advantage, 43-33, overall and 17-10 off the offensive glass.

"They were a little longer than us and they were getting their hands on things," said Assistant Coach Taylor Roth. "They kept the ball alive and that's what hurt us."

Udine finished with a season-high 28 points, including 10-of-16 from the field.

Timmes and Ted Georgiadis, who connected on 6-of-9 field goals, both finished with 13 points

"We played aggressive and we battled," Roth explained. "It wasn't a matter of effort." 

NOTABLES:

- Jimmy Martinelli led the Violets with nine rebounds.

- Cameron Moore finished with a game- and career-high six assists. 

- Timmes also recorded four steals.

- Carnegie Mellon's Chris Shkil finished with 20 points, 10 rebounds, four blocks, and three assists. 

The Violets return to action this Friday, January 20, when they travel to play Washington University in St. Louis. Tipoff for that UAA contest is set for 8pm central time.