The New York University Men's Basketball Team made its return to the court a memorable one.
After not having played in over a month, the Violets traveled to Dallas (PA, not TX) on Wednesday, January 12, and posted a 75-74 win over host Misericordia College on senior captain
Bobby Hawkinson's (Frankfort, IL/Marist) three-point buzzer-beater.
Trailing the Cougars (4-9) 74-72 with only three seconds left, Hawkinson received an inbounds pass from
Zay Freeney (Phoenix, AZ/South Mountain) at half court, took a pair of dribbles and let the ball fly from just outside the three-point line.
The shot banked in and the Violets headed home with a sensational victory:
"As far as I can remember, this was my first game-winner. Definitely never in high school or college," Hawkinson said. "After it went in, I was in a little bit of shock. But, then I just enjoyed celebrating with my teammates."
Things didn't look so promising for the Violets (9-1) after Nick Hornung's basket put the home team ahead 74-72.
However, that brief low point was immediately erased by Hawkinson's long-distance fling.
"Credit goes to (Assistant) Coach Muchnick for drawing up the final play and to the guys for executing it to perfection," said Head Coach
Dagan Nelson.
"In the huddle before the play, I just told Zay to just throw it high to me and I'll get it, considering my height advantage," Hawkinson revealed. "In fact, we had just practiced it for the first time yesterday."
The game was close throughout, with neither squad leading by more than seven points. There were 11 ties and 12 lead changes, including the final one at the buzzer.
The Violets trailed by one, 38-37, at halftime, but took a seven-point lead, 62-55, following
Cinque Stephens' (Dallas, TX/Wilbraham & Monson) three-pointer midway through the second half. Still leading 72-69 with just over a minute to play, the lead was relinquished as Misericordia scored the next five points before Hawkinson's game-winner.
"We needed to play," Nelson explained. "We hadn't played in 32 days, and for our team to find a way to win the game is a testament to their toughness, resiliency and character."
Hawkinson led all scorers with 32 points, connecting on 14-of-19 shots from the floor and all of his three free throws while also pulling down 15 rebounds.
Alex Maticiuc (Monaco, Monte-Carlo/St. Thomas More School (Montville, CT)) was NYU's other double-figure scorer with 11.
"Hawkinson was the best player on the floor tonight," Nelson added.
Harrison Whatley (Mount Pleasant, SC/Porter Gaud) added eight points and nine rebounds, while
Kawika Akina (Kahuku, HI/Pleasant Grove (Pleasant Grove, UT)) led NYU with five assists.
"It felt good to be back out there again, even though we were a bit rusty," Hawkinson admitted. "We'll have to play better with our conference season about to start, but we're just grateful to be able to play again."
The Violets, who hadn't taken the court since December 10, will put their five-game winning streak on the line when they host Case Western Reserve University in their University Athletic Association (UAA) opener this Friday, January 14. Tipoff is set for 6:00 pm.
Hawkinson's buzzer-beater was featured on Sportscenter's Top-10 Plays! (1/12/2022):
