The New York University men's basketball team picked up its first University Athletic Association (UAA) win of the season in tremendous fashion, defeating #4 Emory University 89-73 on Friday, January 13, at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.
 
The Eagles (12-1, 1-1) entered the game as one of only seven remaining unbeaten teams in Division III, but the Violets (11-1, 1-1) handed them their first loss with outstanding performance at both ends of the floor. Five Violets scored in double figures, led by Carl Yaffe's 24, as the team converted a season-high 28 free throws.
 
Defensively, NYU held Emory, which entered the game ranked ninth in the nation in three-point field goals per game, to just 8-27 (29.6%) shooting from beyond the arc and 26-70 (37.1%) from the field.
 
"They're a great team deserving of their ranking," said head coach Joe Nesci. "They never quit and kept making runs, but our guys did a great job of weathering the storm."
 
Ryan Tana had a breakout game on offense and defense for the Violets. He scored a career-high 15 points on 5-8 shooting and dished out five assists with just one turnover on the offensive end. On defense, Tana made a career-high four steals and helped hold Austin Claunch, a Preseason All-American, to just 5-19 from the field with seven turnovers.
 
"Our defense was terrific," noted Nesci. "We got some easy baskets by pushing the ball out."
 
Andy Stein and Ben Dorman scored most of those baskets early, combining for 15 of NYU's first 22 points to help the team take a 22-12 lead midway through the first half. After Emory pulled to within seven, the Violets then went on a 12-2 run to take a 17-point lead at 38-21.
 
The Eagles responded with a run of their own to end the half, closing the period on a 13-3 spurt to enter the locker room trailing by just seven, 41-34.
 
A slew of buckets from Yaffe helped the Violets pull back ahead and take a massive 73-53 lead with 7:18 to play in the game. Emory got as close as nine with 3:31 left, but NYU held off the push as Tana drew two charges and took a steal coast-to-coast for an easy layup to help seal the victory.
 
Joining Yaffe and Tana in double figures were Stein (14 points), Kyle Stockmal (14 points) and Dorman (10 points). Stockmal also had six rebounds and four assists, while Stein had six boards and three helpers. Devin Karch contributed to the defensive effort with three big blocks.
 
Jake Davis led the Eagles with 24 points and 10 rebounds before fouling out with 5:33 to play. Michael Friedberg had 17 points, six boards and three blocks, while Alex Greven had 10 points and six rebounds.
 
NYU returns to action with another huge UAA game, as it hosts defending Association Champion University of Rochester at Coles at 1:00 pm.