York Edged by NYU in ECAC Quarterfinals
NYU Rallies from Ten Point Second-Half Deficit
Contact; John Scarinci, Sports Information Director
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NEW YORK, NY— New York University overcame a ten-point second half deficit and went on to defeat the York College men's basketball team, 84-80, in the quarterfinals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Division Men's Basketball Championships Wednesday. The loss puts an end to the Cardinals season as they finish the year with a record of 14-14.
York controlled the game for the first half and the beginning of the second half. York led 41-36 at halftime after out-rebounding NYU 24-16 which led to 13 second chance points. Everything appeared to be going in the Cardinals' favor as York held a 55-45 lead with 15:06 to play in the game.
However, things started turn around the 13 minute mark of the second half. The Violets had cut the lead to four points, 55-51, when York's Nicholas Hamilton-Lopez was charged with a questionable flagrant foul. NYU's Derek Becker hit both free throws and then Ben Dorman drained a three-pointer to give NYU its first lead, 56-55, since the 15:42 mark of the first half.
The game would be a nail biter the rest of the way. After a number of lead changes, York found themselves trailing 82-20 with possession and 26 seconds remaining. During the possession, Hamilton-Lopez forced an ill-advised three-point attempt that bounced off the rim and into the hands of NYU's D.J. Glavan with 11 seconds to play.
Glavan then hit of one of two free throws which kept it a one possession game. The Violets alertly fouled on York's next possession to prevent a game-tying three-point attempt. #Ryan Exum# then missed the front end of a 1 and 1. The Violets' John Mish then came up with the rebound with six seconds remaining, effectively putting an end to the game and the season for York.
For York, Hamilton-Lopez led the team with 22 points, including six three-pointers. #Marcel Esonwune3 recorded his 16th double-double of the season, netting 14 points and grabbing 12 boards, while also blocking four shots and nabbing two steals. Elijah Evelyn scored 13 points and grabbed nine boards and Omari Phipps finished with 12 points, four rebounds and four blocks. Rodney Bennett had a solid game off the bench, finishing with ten points and five rebounds.
Glavan led NYU with 20 points, while Mish and Keith Jensen chipped in 14 points apiece.
NYU, the number two seed in the tournament will now host third-seeded Rutgers-Newark in the semi-finals on Saturday.
