Box Score
MANHANTTAN, N.Y. – Brian Lebowitz put forth a performance that granted him all-tournament laurels, but neither Kenyon College nor host New York University had its best night shooting in a low-scoring affair, Saturday night at the Coles Sports Center. The Violets outlasted the Lords, 60-44, to claim the NYU Holiday Classic title while Kenyon fell to 6-5 on the season.
Lebowitz served as the high point for the Lords' offense, hitting 7-of-12 shots from the field to total a team-high 16 points. He was one rebound short of accomplishing his fourth double-double of the season. Additionally, the senior added three blocks and one steal to help keep NYU's offense in check for much of the contest.
Kenyon struggled from the floor in the first half and was limited to just 25 percent shooting from the field and from behind the three-point arc. Despite the Violets taking a lead into the half, they were unable to severely separate themselves from the Lords as they shot just 34.5 percent, leading to just a four-point advantage, 23-19.
New York jumped out and went on a 9-2 run to open the second half, creating its largest lead of the game at nine points. Lebowitz helped erase that deficit with a 5-for-8 showing in the second half. Tim Connolly gave Kenyon a slim 36-35 lead with 8:57 remaining after hitting a trio of free throws after a costly foul by the Violet's Max Ralby, but NYU kicked it into another gear for a final push that the Lords were unable to keep pace with.
NYU scored the next nine points following Connolly's free throw makes via a three-ball by Adam Xu and buckets from Costis Gontikas and Evan Kupferberg. The lead escalated to double digits after Patrick Burns hit back-to-back free throws and another successful venture into the painted area for Alex Papesch led to a 12-point lead. Kenyon simply was unable to get its offense clicking and went 0-for-5 from three-point range in the second half, leading to the defeat.
Lebowitz was the only Lord to score in double figures in Saturday night's game. His weekend stat line reflected a strong showing at the NYU Holiday Classic and included 27 points, 17 rebounds, and five blocks. For his effort, he was named to the All-Classic team.
Kupferberg equaled Lebowitz's point and rebound totals on Saturday, while adding three assists. Papesch was the only other player from either side to score in double digits (10) while also tallying a double-double with his 11 rebounds.
The Lords will return to North Coast Athletic Conference play on Jan. 8 with a home contest against The College of Wooster at Tomsich Arena.
