The #13-ranked New York University men's basketball team posted an 86-77 victory over #20 Emory University on Sunday, January 28, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

Michael Savarino scored NYU's first 15 points of the University Athletic Association (UAA) contest as the Violets (15-3, 5-2) raced out to a 23-7 lead and never trailed.

"Sav got us going. He delivered the first punch," said Head Coach Dave Klatsky. 

The Eagles (12-6, 3-4) managed to cut their deficit to four points, 37-33, with just over two minutes left in the first half.

But, the Violets scored the next five points and went into intermission with a 42-33 lead.

Emory pulled within 53-51 with 15 minutes to play, but back-to-back three's from Savarino and Spencer Freedman kept the Eagles at bay as the Violets went back up by eight.

Once again Emory closed the gap, pulling to within 68-67 with just over five minutes remaining.

However, Emmanuel Onuama's jam and Zay Freeney's long jumper immediately followed, again giving NYU a cushion. 

The lead grew to 80-71 before Emory's Cale Martens hit a three-pointer to cut NYU's lead to six with 1:02 left.

The Eagles never got any closer as NYU held on for its fourth-straight win.

Savarino finished with a team-high 21 points as all five starters reached double figures. Freedman scored 20 points, Freeney finished with 15, Cinque Stephens had 13, and Onuama added 12. 

Onuama led the Violets with 14 rebounds, while Stephens added nine. Freedman had a game-high 10 assists.

"All of our starters were huge," Klatsky added. "They played so many minutes and were just so valuable. We have so many guys who can contribute on any given day. I'm just so proud of the effort." 

Martens led the Eagles with 20 points. 

The Violets return to the court on Friday, February 2, when they travel to Rochester, NY, for a UAA date with the University of Rochester. Tip-off against the Yellowjackets is set for 7:30pm.