The New York University men's basketball team lost to the University of Chicago 80-70 in a road University Athletic Association (UAA) contest on Friday, January 12, in Chicago, IL.

The Violets (8-4, 1-1 UAA) had an early 5-4 lead, but the Maroons (5-8, 1-1 UAA) ended the first half on a 39-19 run and took a 43-24 lead heading into the break.

NYU was hampered in the first half by poor shooting, as the Violets connected on only 27.3% (9-of-33) of their field goal attempts.  

However, the Violets burst out of the gate in the second half, scoring the first bucket and steadily decreasing their deficit. Jimmy Martinelli dug into the Maroons' lead with several three-pointers and when Douglas Gertner drove in for a layup with 7:56 remaining in the game, the Violets had cut their deficit to two points, 59-57.

Chicago countered with eight straight points.

Another Gertner layup brought the Violets back within eight, but a game-clinching 7-0 run by the Maroons ended any chance of a Violet comeback.

Martinelli finished with a team-high 17 points, while both Ross Udine (team-high four assists) and Jule Brown had 11. 

NYU had won its previous two games and five out its last six.

INSIDE INFO:

- Dom Cristiano collected a team-high nine rebounds for NYU. 

- The Violets' comeback was fueled by 50% shooting (18-of-36) in the second half. 

- Chicago converted 18 free throws in the second half. The Violets attempted 13 in the game.

- Collin Barthel led the Maroons with 19 points and 14 rebounds.

The Violets' Midwest trip continues when they face Washington University in St. Louis on Sunday, January 14, at 12:00pm (central time) in the Show-Me State.