CHICAGO – The University of Chicago men's basketball team went toe-to-toe with one of the top teams in the nation through the first half, but a strong second-half push by No. 5 NYU led to an 83-66 final on Friday evening at the Gerald Ratner Athletics Center.
The Maroons (13-4, 4-2 UAA) started hot and kept the contest tight through the opening 20 minutes, but the visiting Violets (16-1, 5-1 UAA) capitalized on second-half opportunities to take control down the stretch.
Fast-Paced First Half
UChicago came out aggressive, trading baskets with NYU in the opening minutes. Thomas Kurowski knocked down an early three-pointer to put the Maroons ahead, part of his five triples on the night. The teams exchanged the lead four times in the first half, with Eamonn Kenah and Noah Pit adding key buckets to keep pace.
A three-pointer from Kenah at the 2:23 mark gave UChicago a 33-31 lead, but NYU answered with back-to-back baskets. A late layup from Kurowski kept the Maroons within striking distance, trailing just 35-34 at halftime.
NYU's Second-Half Surge
NYU opened the second half with a 6-0 run, but UChicago responded with a three-pointer from Joe Berry and a transition layup from Kurowski to cut the deficit to 41-39. The Violets, however, found their rhythm offensively, shooting an impressive 75% from the field in the second half.
NYU's defensive pressure led to Maroon turnovers, fueling a 10-2 run that pushed their lead to double digits midway through the period. Despite a pair of three-pointers from Kenah and a tough finish inside by Daniel Cochran, NYU continued to extend its advantage, using strong interior play to control the paint.
Key Performances
Kurowski led all scorers with 23 points, shooting 5-of-8 from beyond the arc. Kenah added 12 points and three assists, while Pit and Luke Smith chipped in a combined 15 points off the bench.
Despite the final margin, the Maroons showed flashes of their high-level play, particularly in the first half. UChicago will look to bounce back on Sunday as they continue UAA play against Brandeis at home.
