ROCHESTER, N.Y. – John DiBartolomeo scored 23 of his game-high 26 points in the second half as the University of Rochester pulled away for a 77-57 victory over Brandeis University at the Louis Alexander Palestra.

He hit seven of 10 from the floor, two of three outside the arc, and 10 of 11 free throws. He added seven rebounds, six assists, and three steals. Mike Labanowski scored 15 points for the Yellowjackets. Nate Vernon scored 11 points, and Rob Reid had 10.

Ben Bartholdus scored 17 points for Brandeis. He hit seven of eight from the floor, two of three outside the arc. Tyrone Hughes had seven points and eight assists. Youri Dascy scored eight points.

Rochester won its seventh straight game and ninth in the last 10. The Yellowjackets improved to 16-4 overall, 8-1 in the University Athletic Association. Rochester holds a one-game lead over Emory University for first place in the UAA. Brandeis is 13-6 overall, 3-6 in UAA play.

Derek Retos made a layup with 10:19 left to bring Brandeis within 57-50. Vernon sank two three-point goals in less than a minute to key a 9-2 run that put Rochester up, 68-52, with 6:33 remaining. 

Rochester led by as much as nine in the first half, but Brandeis reorganized and went on a 12-1 run with five players scoring. A layup by Bartholdus put Brandeis up, 24-22. Rochester ended the run with a three-pointer from Chris Dende and a layup from Reid to to go up, 27-24, with 5:48 left. The Yellowjackets led, 35-33, at halftime.