For just the second time in program history, the New York University men's basketball team competed in the Division III National Championship game. The #1-ranked Violets fell to Trinity College (CT) 64-60 on Saturday, March 22, in Fort Wayne, IN.

Neither team led by more than seven in what was a back-and-forth tilt all afternoon. 

After falling behind 5-0 in the early stages of the game, NYU jumped on top just after the 13th minute mark and did not trail for the remainder of the first half. Having led by as much as seven, the Violets took a 30-27 lead into the locker room. 

Hampton Sanders carried his momentum from Thursday's contest into Saturday afternoon with nine points in the first half. He went on to finish the game with 15 points and was named to the All-Tournament Team.

The Bantams opened the second half on an 11-3 run and re-took a five-point advantage. With the score later tied 46-46, a Tristan How layup put the Violets back in front until the final minute of the game. 

How finished with 12 points and 12 rebounds, good for a double-double in the final game of his collegiate career. He was also named to the All-Tournament Team. 

"I came to NYU to play basketball and I think I'll leave with brothers," said How. "I'll look back on this season with great fondness and new friendships."

NYU led by four with just over a minute left, but went scoreless for the remainder of the contest as Trinity hit back-to-back three-pointers. On NYU's final possession, a potential go-ahead shot from deep by Sanders drew iron, effectively sealing the game for the Bantams. 

Despite the loss, it was a strong defensive performance from the Violets, who held the Bantams to 5-of-26 shooting from beyond the arc. 

"As much we wanted to win the game and as much as this hurts right now, this was a great year," said Head Coach Dave Klatsky. "It doesn't feel like it right now, but at some point we'll realize what we did and feel proud of that."

The defeat marks the end of a historical season for NYU, highlighted by the most wins in a single-season in program history and its first outright University Athletic Association (UAA) title in program history.