The New York University men's basketball team improved its 2025-26 record to 7-1 with an 84-68 victory over Farmingdale State College on Saturday, December 6, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

Luke Kolaja led four Violets in double figures with a career-high 25 points. 

The Violets fell behind 7-3 to start the game, but connected on their first seven three-point attempts to grab a 21-11 lead.

Kolaja's three-pointer and jam on consecutive possessions gave NYU its biggest lead of the first half, 28-14.

Farmingdale rallied to within three at 30-27 before the Violets left the court at halftime ahead 40-34. 

Kolaja had 18 points at the break, including 4-of-9 from three-point range.

"When the team has confidence in you, and the coach has confidence in you, it's real easy to go out there and shoot well," Kolaja said. 

The Rams tied the contest at 50-50, but Alex Daniels' three-pointer put NYU ahead for good.

Darren Rubin's trey gave NYU its largest lead, 78-62, with 4:32 remaining.

The Violets never led by less than 12 the rest of the way.

Kolaja added seven rebounds, while Andrew Waldman finished with a team-high eight.

"Being able to come out, play every minute I want to play with the guys I want to play with, it's emotional and I'm loving every second of it," Kolaja added.

Rubin scored 19 points, Carnegie Johnson had 17 and Bryan Moussako added 12.

Johnson also contributed a game-high six assists.   

The Violets return to the court next Saturday, December 13, when they host Lancaster Bible College back at the Paulson Center. Tip-off is set for 3:00pm