The New York University men's basketball team capped off the opening weekend of the 2025-26 season with a Sunday afternoon 99-94 overtime win over visiting St. Joseph's College (SJC) of Maine.
The Violets shook off a seven-point deficit in overtime to take their second win of the season. Sunday's victory concluded a sweep for the Violets at the NYU Tip-Off Classic following a Friday evening win over the College at Old Westbury Panthers.
Carnegie Johnson led the way for the Violets with 32 points.
"I think it's a great test for us to play a team that good this early, a culture-defining win," said Johnson. "Later in the season, we'll be able to look back on this game to fuel us to do great things moving forward."
Darren Rubin helped the Violets shake a slow start from the field, going 3-5 from three-point range in the first 10 minutes.
NYU kept the Monks in striking distance for the entirety of the first half, trailing by five points at the break.
The Violets cut into the SJC lead out of the break with threes from Rubin and
Bryan Moussako. They used an 8-0 run in the opening five minutes of the second half to take their first lead since the opening minutes of the game.
Despite the Violets leading by as many as eight points, St. Joe's pulled even in the final two minutes as NYU struggled to find the bottom of the net.
The Monks took possession with 23.7 seconds to play in regulation, but could not find a game-winner against a staunch NYU defensive set. An extra five minutes were needed to decide this game, which headed to overtime tied at 84.
The Monks, who are receiving votes in the
D3Hoops.com national preseason poll, picked up the first seven points of the extra period, but Moussako got the Violets on the board with just under three minutes to go.
Johnson finally put the home team in front for good, 95-93 with 1:08 to play with his third three-pointer of the game.
Moussako, who finished with 13 points, salted the contest away with two key offensive rebounds to extend the final NYU possession. He then hit a pair of free throws that put NYU up three points, 97-94, with 13.0 seconds to play.
St. Joe's could not connect on a potential game-tying three, and Johnson sealed the NYU victory with two free throws. He was a perfect 13-13 from the line and matched a game-high with three steals.
Rubin made five three-pointers on 50% shooting, and totaled 25 points.
Andrew Waldman led all players with nine assists, adding eight rebounds and nine points.
Alex Daniels chipped in with 12 points.
The Violets continue the homestand on Saturday, November 15, when Kean University visits the Paulson Center. Tip-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.
