NEW YORK, N.Y. (November 16, 2013) – The Drew University men's basketball team suffered an 85-68 loss to NYU (1-0) this afternoon in the first game of the NYU Tip-Off Tournament.  The Rangers will play in the consolation game tomorrow afternoon at 1:00 p.m. and face Elmira College.

Senior John Ford (Holbrook, N.Y./Sachem North) scored 11 of his team-high 14 points in the first half to pace the Rangers offense. The fourth-year guard also pulled down six boards and was 4-of-6 from beyond the arc.  Junior Chris Capelli (Manasquan, N.J./Manasquan) was also in double figures, tallying 11 points on 3-of-6 shooting. Sophomore Mike Klinger (Franklin Park, N.J./Rutgers Prep) added 10 points and two assists.

With the exception of the opening minutes, the Violets held the lead throughout the contest. NYU was sparked by a 23-2 run in stretch of eight minutes of play in the first half. NYU found themselves up 28-9 with 8:32 remaining in the first half. The Rangers were able to chip away at the Violet lead and bring it to within nine on back-to-back free throws by Jason Huelbig (Middletown, N.J./Middletown North) with 3:23 remaining in the half. Ford was able to pull the Rangers within 11 at the halftime break, nailing a three with two seconds left on the clock.

After NYU opened the half with a three, the Klinger scored four of the next seven points for the Rangers to cut the Violet lead to seven with 15:52 remaining in the game. The Rangers would come within six points on a layup by Huelbig. The sophomore guard scored five of his nine points in the first four minutes of the second half.

The NYU offense would turn out to be too much for the Drew defense as they quickly built up a 15-point lead with 12:23 left in the game. The Rangers would not get any closer as the Violets held leads as high as 21 in the closing minutes.

NYU received 19-point performances from both Evan Kupferberg and Costas Gontikas. Kupferberg finished with a double-double, pulling down 10 boards. The Violets held a 55-33 advantage on the boards and shot nearly 50 percent from the floor.

Elmira lost to Morrisville State, 81-75 in today's second game. The Tournament Championship will feature NYU and Morrisville State at 3:00 p.m.