ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Nate Novosel and John DiBartolomeo combined for 37 points to lead the University of Rochester to a 59-57 victory over the University of Chicago at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Sunday afternoon.
Novosel scored 21 points, hitting seven of 14 floor shots and seven of 10 from the line. He had four rebounds, one blocked shot, and two steals. DiBartolomeo scored 16 points, grabbed eight rebounds, blocked shot shots, and registered four assists.
Rochester is 13-7 overall, 4-5 in the University Athletic Association. It was the 13th straight UAA homecourt win for the Yellowjackets, dating back to the end of the 2009-10 season. It was also Rochester's 17th consecutive regular season homecourt victory.
Michael Sustarsic scored 12 points for Chicago (11-9, 4-5 UAA). He sank four three-point goals. Steve Stefanou and Derrick Davis each had 10 points and eight rebounds.
Rochester led by 13 at the half (38-25), scoring 12 points off nine Chicago turnovers. Novosel's layup to start the second half made it a 40-25 advantage.
Chicago scored 13 points from 12 Rochester giveaways in the second half. The Maroons drew within four points on a conventional three-point play by Stefanou (51-47, 8:39). Novosel and Rob Reid (nine points) made layups for the Yellowjackets before the Maroons went on a 7-0 spree to pull within 55-54 with 4:35 left. Stefanou made a layup, Matt Johnson sank a trey, and Derrick Davis made a layup in transition.
With Rochester up by five, Sustarsic hit his fourth trey of the game, drawing Chicago within 59-57 with 18 seconds left. Novosel missed the front end of a one-and-one with 13 seconds to play. Tom Williams misfired on a three-pointer for Chicago and DiBartolomeo rebounded with 2.8 seconds left. He missed the front end of a one-and-one and Charlie Hughes rebounded for Chicago with 2.5 seconds left. After two timeouts, Chicago inbounded to Johnson whose three-quarter court shot bounced off the backboard.