The New York University men's basketball team used an impressive second half to defeat Carnegie Mellon University and claim its second consecutive University Athletic Association (UAA) Championship on Friday, February 21, at the John A. Paulson Center in Manhattan.

The #2-ranked Violets and Tartans were tied 37-37 at halftime. NYU scored the first six points of the second half on three-pointers by Jack Stone and Zay Freeney, and never relinquished the lead in securing the 77-61 victory and at least a tie for the UAA title.

"It's amazing, one of the goals we established at the beginning of the year," said Head Coach Dave Klatsky. "To watch these guys coming together and playing together all year long, I'm just so proud of their effort, their camaraderie and their teamwork. That's what leads to championships." 

NYU benefited from 48.1% three-point shooting, hitting 13 of 27 attempts in the game. The leader in that category was Bryan Moussako, who connected on all five of his long-ball attempts - four in the second half - and registered a career-high 15 points. 

The Violets' lead grew to as many as 18 points on a pair of occasions.

"Bryan found a way to make some threes when we really needed them," Klatsky added. 

Hampton Sanders led NYU with 18 points, while Jack Stone also scored in double figures with 11.

Stone and Tristan How each had a team-high eight rebounds. 

The Violets return to the court on Sunday for another UAA contest. They host Case Western Reserve University on Senior Day at 2:00pm at the Paulson Center.