The New York University men's basketball team defeated Wells College 74-59 in the opening round of the NYU Tip-Off Tournament on Saturday, November 23, at the Sportsplex in Manhattan.

The Violets are now 2-3 this season while the Express fell to 0-6

The teams traded the lead several times in the opening minutes before Wells opened up an eight-point lead, 26-18, with 3:27 remaining in the first half. The Violets quickly responded, however, going on a 15-3 run to close out the half and take a 33-29 lead into intermission.

Ethan Feldman (New York, NY/The Salisbury School) compiled eight of his team-high 16 points during that streak. 

"Ethan was able to deliver during a key point of the game," said Head Coach Dagan Nelson. "I'm really happy for him. He's a great young man and a great teammate."  

The Violets began the second half on a 13-3 run and never led by less than double-digits the rest of the way. They extended the streak to 21-8 and took a 17-point lead, 54-37, on Riley Demps' (New Orleans, LA/Isidore Newman) layup with 10:45 left in the game.

The Express managed to pull within 10, 60-50. But, an ensuing 10-2 NYU streak helped keep a comfortable lead. The advantage eventually grew to a game-high 19 points, 74-55, on Miles Somerville (Bowie, MD/Georgetown Prep)'s layup with 2:32 remaining.

"We emphasized getting the ball inside because we had a significant height advantage," Nelson explained. "We really got after it in the second half and did what we needed to do."

The Violets, who out-rebounded the Express 47-26, return to the court on Sunday for the Championship Game of the Tip-Off Tournament. They will face Western New England University at 2:00pm.