The New York University men's basketball team opened its two-game University Athletic Association (UAA) road trip with its first conference win of the season, defeating Carnegie Mellon University (CMU) on Friday, February 7, in Pittsburgh, PA.

The Violets (8-11, 1-7) earned a 80-79 win over the host Tartans (9-10, 2-6).

Carnegie Mellon took an 18-7 lead early in the first half. But, a 16-3 run spearheaded by two layups and a pair of free throws from Bobby Hawkinson (Frankfort, IL/Marist), put NYU ahead 23-21.

The Violets were still leading 33-30 when CMU went on a 14-7 to take a 44-40 lead at halftime.  

NYU committed seven turnovers over the first 20 minutes. 

"The difference in the game was that we committed only five second-half turnovers," said Head Coach Dagan Nelson. "Our number to start the year in turnovers was 12, and we were at that number at the end of the game. If we can stay at that number or lower it, that'll be the key to the remainder of our season." 

The Tartans and Violets remained neck-and-neck throughout the second half of play.

With 6:32 left in the half, Jimmy Martinelli (Glenview, IL/Glenbrook South) tied the game at 68-68. Then, Jaden Narwal's (Vancouver, Canada/Collingwood School) three-pointer with 5:42 left on the clock put NYU ahead, 71-70.

Nick Macarchuk's (Alamo, CA/St. Thomas Moore Prep) three-pointer put NYU up 78-75 with 1:40 left to play.

The Tartans added two more, but Macarchuk's layup with 57 seconds left on the clock put NYU ahead 80-77.

CMU's Daniel Weiss finished the scoring for the night with a layup, but it wasn't enough as NYU secured the victory.

Hawkinson finished with a season-high 19 points, connecting on 6-of-7 shots from the field and grabbing 12 rebounds. Ethan Feldman (New York, NY/The Salisbury School) finished with 16 points, while Macarchuk (12) also reached double figures.

"Bobby played a great game tonight with 19 points and 12 rebounds" added Nelson. "His offensive rebound with under a minute to go was huge for us."

Narwal, Martinelli and Macarchuk each grabbed eight rebounds for NYU.

Ethan Miller scored 19 for CMU.

The Violets now head to Cleveland, OH, for a game against Case Western Reserve on Sunday. Tip-off is set for 12:00pm.