The NYU men’s basketball team cruised to a win in its season opener after an offseason of changes.
The NYU men’s basketball team defeated Farmingdale State in its season opener. (Courtesy of NYU Athletics)
NYU Men’s Basketball is officially back. After completing their first winning record in six years and adding a few pieces in the offseason, the Violets defeated Farmingdale State College 102-75 in their season opener. The game was head coach Dave Klatsky’s first career win since being hired at NYU in May.
The Violets dominated the game, shooting 58.5% from the field, 48.7% from the three-point line and a perfect 7-7 from the free throw line. The 19 three-pointers set a single-game record for the Violets, two more than the previous high of 17 against Brandeis University in 1999. Firing on all cylinders, the Violets were able to prevent Farmingdale from holding onto the lead.
After trailing by 16 points, the Farmingdale Rams rallied to within six as the Violets took a 36-30 lead with five and a half minutes left in the first half. However, NYU went on an 18-7 run to end the first half up 53-37.
Although the Rams cut the lead to just 10 in the first two minutes of the second half, a 12-2 run by the Violets gave NYU a 69-49 lead. Riding on its offensive momentum, NYU built its largest lead of the night at 31 with just under six minutes left in the game.
Senior captain Nikola Lipavich led the team with a career-high 18 points, hitting six 3-pointers. Along with Lipovich, five other Violets scored in double figures, including freshman forward Quinn Clark (14 points), graduate guard Spencer Friedman (12), sophomore combo guard Zay Freeney (11), junior combo guard Cinque Stevens (11 ). and sophomore wing Holt Bashinski (10). Friedman, who transferred from Harvard, led the game with eight assists in his NYU debut.
Senior guard Michael Savarino also added five points, six rebounds and a pair of steals in his first game with the Violets. Prior to NYU, Savarino was a three-year starter at Duke University and played under his grandfather, Mike Krzyzewski.
After an impressive performance, the team is looking to continue their winning streak into the weekend. NYU’s next game is Saturday, Nov. 12 against the United States Merchant Marine Academy with tipoff at noon.
Contact Drew Abrutin at [email protected]
