The New York University men's basketball team played its first road game of the 2017-18 season and defeated host Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts (MCLA) 97-71 on Saturday, November 25, in North Adams, MA.

Ethan Feldman continued his hot start to the season, leading the way with a game-high 25 points for NYU. Dom Cristiano added 23 points and 10 rebounds, while Jimmy Martinelli also contributed a double-double with 14 points and 10 rebounds. 

"Ethan is a good shooter who's been working hard," said Assistant Coach Michael McSloy. "The results are showing it."

The Violets (2-1) scored the first six points of the game and never trailed. The Trailblazers (1-3) did manage to tie the score at 17-17. However, Feldman's three-pointer with 11:05 remaining in the first half sparked an 18-5 NYU run which kept the Violets in the lead for good.

MCLA did close the gap to five points at halftime, 43-38, but the Violets opened the second half with six straight points to again distance themselves. The lead eventually increased to a game-high 29 points, 97-68, on Noah Fennell's layup with just 13 second left in the contest.   

"We were able to get some stops and make our shots in the second half," McSloy explained. "We got some easy buckets in transition." 

BASKET BULLETS:

- Ross Udine, NYU's all-time assists leader, led the way with 10 on Saturday.

- Bobby Hawkinson did not miss a shot (4-of-4 FG, 2-of-2 FT) en route to scoring his first collegiate points.  

- Fennell, Jaden Narwal, Oscar Argemi Gonzalez, Sawyer Schlindwein, and Mario Zimaridis all made their collegiate debuts.

- Noah Yearsley led MCLA with 24 points.

"Overall, our effort level really increased today from where it's been so far this season," McSloy said. "That made a big difference."

The Violets continue their "road" trip when they face Brooklyn College in Brooklyn, NY, on Monday, November 27. Tip-off at the Bulldogs' West Quad Center is set for 7:15pm.