Release courtesy of NYU Athletics

Zay Freeney and Spencer Freedman continued their hot scoring as New York University's men's basketball team defeated Maritime College, 86-64, on Tuesday night in Throggs Neck, NY.

Freeney finished with a game-high 25 points while Freedman added 17, leading the Violets to their fifth straight victory to begin the season.

NYU never trailed in the game despite a strong fight from the Privateers in the first half.

The Violets nabbed their first double-digit lead, 27-17, on Michael Savarino's fastbreak finish with 7:20 on the clock.

Maritime came back within four, 34-30, four minutes later on team-high-scorer Theo Noble's jumper. Freedman later gave NYU a six-point halftime lead (42-36) after a nifty layup with four seconds left in the first.

NYU took control in the second, establishing a double-digit advantage it wouldn't relinquish on a Freedman trey just over five minutes after play resumed. The Violets shot 61.5 percent from the floor in the second half while holding Maritime to a 29.6 percent clip.

Freeney shot 9-of-15 from the field and 4-of-7 from long range, adding three assists, three steals and a pair of boards.

Freedman, who hasn't shot less than 50 percent in a game this season, hit 7-of-10 field goals and dished out four assists.

Quinn Clark nearly posted a double-double, totaling 11 points (5-of-7 FG) with nine rebounds and three assists.

Cinque Stephens added 11 points on 4-of-5 shooting while drilling both of his attempts from deep.

Nikola Lipovic chipped in seven points on perfect shooting with three boards and a career-high-tying three steals. 

NYU outscored Maritime 52-16 in the paint, shot 60.7 percent from the field and 44.4 percent from distance.

The Violets return to action after Thanksgiving, welcoming SUNY Old Westbury to the Brooklyn Athletic Facility on Monday, November 28, for a 7 p.m. tip.