NEW YORK, N.Y. (January 2, 2011) - The Rangers nearly erased a 10 point deficit late in the second half but NYU was able to bounce back with 19-6 run of their own to defeat Drew, 77-67 in the opening round of the NYU Holiday Classic.

After a back and forth first half, Drew (4-6) found themselves trailing by only seven going into the final 20 minutes of play. After NYU (9-0) went up 10 at 16:25 mark off an Andy Stein layup the Rangers would go on to score the next nine points to get within one. The Violets would not let the Rangers get any closer and put together a 19-6 run to capture their ninth-straight win.

The lead changed hands four times in the first half but NYU would not relinquish it the final 20 minutes of action.

The Drew offense rode the hot hand of senior Kyle Joyce (Hanover, Mass./Xavieran Brothers) who had a game-high 18 points, will all coming from beyond the arc. Asmar Capers (Bridgewater, N.J./Bridgewater-Raritan) was 3-of-6 of from three-point land and netted 17.

Sophomore Terrell Brown (Camden, N.J./Woodrow Wilson) recorded his first double-double of the season and fifth of his career with 10 points and 10 boards.

The Rangers will take on Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts at 5:00 PM tomorrow in the final game of the NYU Holiday Classic.