NYU 79 Case Western Reserve 78

The New York University men's basketball squad earned its second straight victory, and fourth in its last five games, on Sunday afternoon, February 9, defeating Case Western Reserve University 79-74 at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.

The Violets (15-5, 5-4 University Athletic Association) played in yet another tight contest, as the game featured 13 lead changes and nine ties before NYU overcame the Spartans (12-8, 4-5 UAA) by claiming the final lead of the game with 53 seconds remaining.

NYU held a slim three-point lead heading into halftime, but was able to jump out to a seven-point lead -- it's largest of the contest -- at the 14:04 mark in the second half. The game then went back and forth, with multiple 6-0 runs by both squads.

"It was a tough, grind-it-out type game, and we were able to grind it out for the win," said Head Coach Joe Nesci.

Despite shooting just 50.0 percent from the free throw line, the Violets were able to close out the game in the final minute. Overall, the Violets controlled the play down low once again, as they outrebounded the Spartans 37-29, outscored them 36-24 in points in the paint and held the 17-7 advantage on second-chance points.

"We're definitely a mentally tough team," said Nesci.

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Sophomore forward Evan Kupferberg led the way with a team-high 25 points. He also registered his eighth double-double of the season by pulling down a game-high 10 rebounds.

- Sophomore point guard Max Ralby dished out a career-high 10 assists along with four points, three rebounds and two steals.

- Senior co-captain guard Ryan Tana (15 points, four rebounds, three assists, and a steal) and sophomore center Costis Gontikas (13 points and seven rebounds) joined Kupfeberg in double-figure scoring, as well.

- Sophomore forward Patrick Burns chipped in seven points, three assists, two rebounds, and a block. Fellow big man, freshman Romas Marcinkevicius, also scored seven points while pulling down a career-high-tying six boards and dishing out two assists.

NYU will be back in action next weekend when it hosts the University of Chicago at Coles on Friday night, February 14, for a scheduled 8:00 pm tip. The Violets then host #2 Washington University-St. Louis on Sunday afternoon, February 16, for an 11:00 am tip-off.