Sparked by a pair of career-best scoring performances and clutch foul shooting down the stretch, the New York University men's basketball team held off host Carnegie Mellon University and recorded its first University Athletic Association (UAA) win of the season, 86-83. on Sunday, January 18, at the Skibo Gymnasium in Pittsburgh, PA.

Despite trailing by as many as 11 points in the first half and leading by as many as 10 in the second, the Violets (10-4, 1-2 UAA) led the Tartans (10-4, 1-2) by only two with 39 seconds left. However, Ross Udine connected on four consecutive foul shots en route to a career-high 16 points to re-establish a six-point NYU lead.

"Ross did a great job down the stretch keeping us organized and hitting clutch foul shots," said NYU Senior Assistant Coach John Pelin.

But, the game was not over as Carnegie Mellon's Seth Cordin, who scored a game-high 34 points, was fouled on a three-point attempt with 19 seconds left and made all three shots.

The Tartans got the ball back after a Violet turnover, but missed consecutive three-pointers in the final seconds and NYU hung on for the victory.

"This showed a lot of toughness on our part," Pelin said. "After a rough loss on Friday night, it meant a lot to hold the lead at the end and come away with a big win." 

HIGHLIGHTS:

- Hakeem Harris connected on six of eight three-pointers and scored a career-high 26 points for the Violets. Overall, he shot 10-16 from the field and added four rebounds and two steals.
 
"Hakeem's outside shooting was key for us," Pelin said. "Teams try to take away our inside play and having him out there to knock down shots was big."

- Costis Gontikas scored 20 points on 8-13 shooting

- Evan Kupferberg recorded a double-double with 13 points and 14 rebounds while also recording two blocks.

- Udine added a game-high five assists to go with two steals.

The Violets return to action on Friday, January 23, when they host Washington University-St. Louis at 8 pm at the Coles Sports Center in Manhattan.