BROOKLYN, NY – The University of Rochester men's basketball team shot a blistering 62 percent from the field in a 75-65 victory over New York University of Friday night to begin the second half of the University Athletic Association conference schedule.
It was turnaround week in the conference as the same two teams met a week ago in the Palestra, with Rochester emerging with an 74-70 overtime victory over the Violets.
The result of Friday's game, played at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, pushes Rochester's record to 12-6 and 4-4 in the UAA. NYU falls to 9-8, 0-7 in the UAA on the year.
Sixty-two percent (26-42) shooting was by far Rochester's best in a single-game this season, outpacing the 55 percent made in a win against Buffalo State on January 5. The Yellowjackets also got things done on the defensive end, forcing 22 Violet turnovers, 16 of which were recorded as steals.
Rochester's leading scorer was Trent Noordsij who had 17 points, going 5-for-5 from the floor and 6-for-7 from the free throw line. Ross Gang added 13 points and four rebounds and a team-best two 3-pointers. Matt Wiele was solid off the bench as well, recording 13 points, 6 rebounds and 6 steals. The six steals for Wiele are tied for fifth most in a single-game in Rochester history.
NYU was led by Bobby Hawkinson who had 15 points and five rebounds. Jacob Sussman added 13 points for NYU and Zay Freeney scored 11.
Rochester led for nearly all of the first half of play, but an 9-0 run by NYU in the final two minutes of the opening period saw the Violets head into intermission with a 32-31 lead.
The Yellowjackets got a layup from Matt Niemczura to start the second half and regained the lead, starting a 9-3 run which saw Rochester lead 40-35 with 16:20 left. Niemczura finished with eight points, tied with fellow starter Brian Amabilino Perez for the Yellowjackets.
Just after the midway point of the second half, Rochester used a 13-2 burst to begin to separate from the Violets on the scoreboard. Noordsij had five points in the run, while Logan Jagodzinski drained a triple to close out the spurt. UR led 59-44 with 6:45 on the clock.
NYU scored ten of the next 12 points to get back within seven with 3:30 remaining.
Rochester though, fought off the NYU press and made 8-of-12 free throws down the stretch to seal the ten-point victory. Highlight plays from the closing minutes were slam dunks from Wiele and Amabilino Perez.
The Yellowjackets have now won 11 straight meetings all-time against the Violets and lead the all-time series 46-32.
Rochester's road trip continues on Sunday as the Yellowjackets face off against Brandeis University at 12 pm. UR looks to avenge a home loss to the Judges from last weekend in that matchup.