The New York University men's basketball team was defeated by Alfred State College 78-67 on Saturday, December 1, at the Sportsplex in Manhattan.

The Violets fell to 3-4 on the young season, while the Pioneers evened their record at 4-4.

NYU led early in the contest, 10-9, following Cade Hoppe's layup with 14:46 left in the first half. However, Alfred State scored the next 10 points and went on to increase its advantage to 10 points, 33-23.

The Violets countered with an 8-0 run, culminated by Dom Cristiano's three-point play with 1:16 left in the half, to get within two points. Alfred State ended the streak by scoring the next three points and went on to lead 36-33 at halftime. 

"When we cut it to three points at the half, I told the guys that in the first four minutes of the second half we had to be the aggressor, that we had to get them back on their heels," said Head Coach Dagan Nelson. "That didn't happen."

The Pioneers increased their lead to 12 points, 54-42, with five minutes gone in the second half. The Violets pulled to within six, 56-50, on Jimmy Martinelli's three-pointer with 9:35 remaining, but never got any closer as the visitors went up by as many as 13 points in the final two minutes.

"Their speed and quickness really bothered us," Nelson explained. 

Cristiano led NYU with a double-double of 25 points and 10 rebounds. Martinelli finished with 19 points and Bobby Hawkinson added 11.  

"Dom did a really good job for us," Nelson continued. "But, until we get the turnovers down (19) that's the game for us." 

Owen Spencer led five Pioneers in double-figures with 18 points.

The Violets return to action this Thursday, December 6, when they travel to New Haven, CT, to face Albertus Magnus College. Tip-off is set for 7:00 pm