CHICAGO – The University of Chicago men's basketball team closed strong down the stretch to secure a 70-57 home victory over New York University on Sunday.

The Maroons improved to 6-9 on the season (1-3 in the University Athletic Association). The Violets fell to 9-5 overall (0-4 UAA).

In the first half, UChicago could not find an answer for center Bobby Hawkinson. The NYU lefty was able to finish in the paint with nice touch time and again as the visitors ran their offense through the post. He scored eight of his team's opening 10 points to draw the Violets ahead 10-5. By halftime, Hawkinson had accrued 14 points and nine rebounds, shooting 7-for-9 from the field.

UChicago went on a 10-2 run to go up 15-12 midway through the half. Senior Brandon Beckman was fouled on a three-pointer and sank all three foul shots to start the rally. It was a portent for things to come – NYU fouled UChicago a total of three times while attempting three-point field goals over the course of the game.

An and-one layup by first-year Thomas Kurowski made the score 20-17. But two Hawkinson layups and a pair of three-pointers by Jacob Sussman launched NYU back into the lead at 27-23.

Junior Bryce Hopkins drove baseline in the final seconds of the period and finished strong to bring UChicago to within three points at 34-31. Overall, NYU shot 50 percent on field goals in the first half. Beckman led the Maroons with nine points and Hopkins posted seven points.

The Violets continued their offensive hot streak in the opening five minutes of the second half and took their biggest lead of the game at 43-33. But from that point on, UChicago was on the comeback trail. The Maroons swished four-straight shots, which include a pair of treys from sophomore Elliot Paschal, to chop the deficit down to 48-45.

A major part of the home team's success in the second half came in limiting Hawkinson. He only scored four points in the second half while only attempting three shots. The Maroons doubled on help-side defense at every opportunity, forcing Hawkinson to pass the ball back out of the post. NYU proceeded to shoot only 31 percent in the second half.

After sinking a three-pointer with just under eight minutes remaining, the Violets held a 55-50 advantage. But the visiting side only scored two more points the rest of the game as UChicago clamped down and took control definitively.

Kurowski was fouled on a three-point attempt for the second time with 4:40 left. He drained all three from the line to give UChicago a 57-55 edge. Beckman canned a three to make it 60-55. All told, UChicago scored on its final seven possessions to put the game out of reach. NYU began fouling in the final minutes to get the ball back, but to no avail. UChicago took 25 free throw attempts in the game compared to only two by NYU.

Beckman concluded with 19 points and five rebounds. Paschal contributed 18 points and four rebounds. Kurowski collected 11 points off the bench. Hopkins compiled 10 points, six rebounds and two blocks.

UChicago converted 40.7 percent from the field, 23.1 percent from three-point range (6-26) and 80.0 percent from the free throw line (20-25). NYU made 40.7 percent of its field goals, 29.2 percent of its three-pointers (7-24) and 100 percent of its free throws (2-2).

The Maroons handily won the rebounding category 41-30 and blocked five shots. The Violets committed three fewer turnovers (6 to 9).

NEXT GAME:

• Friday, Jan. 28 @ 5:30 PM (ET) – UChicago at Case Western Reserve University