The New York University men's basketball team defeated SUNY Purchase 74-54 in the opening round of the NYU Holiday Tournament on Sunday, December 29, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

The #-8-ranked (D3hoops.com) Violets raced out to an 11-2 lead in the game, but the Panthers produced a 10-0 streak and went ahead by a point. 

The Panthers still led 15-14 when a 9-0 NYU run put the home team in front to stay.

The lead grew to 17 points, 38-21, following a three-pointer from Jack Stone, and the Violets went on to lead 40-23 at halftime. 

Tristan How recorded a double-double in the first half with 11 points and 10 rebounds. 

Purchase (4-5) managed to pull within 12 early in the second half, but was unable to creep any closer.

The NYU lead grew to 24 points, 68-44, on Brock Susko's layup with 8:28 remaining as the Violets kept their undefeated season (9-0) intact.

"I'm proud of the guys for battling back after we lost the lead in the first half," said NYU Head Coach Dave Klatsky. "But, we played our game and put together a solid effort."

How finished with 15 points, 13 rebounds, two assists, and a steal.

Stone also scored 15 points, adding four rebounds and a game-high six assists.

Susko had 12 points, while Hampton Sanders contributed nine points, seven rebounds and three assists. 

The Violets had not played since December 12.

"We knew we had built some momentum heading into the break, so we just needed to find a way to pick it up and now get ready for tomorrow," Klatsky added.

The Violets will face Williams College in Monday's NYU Holiday Tournament Championship Game, set to tip-off at 3:00pm at the Paulson Center.