While many of you were enjoying your winter breaks, NYU sports kept going strong and achieved their share of successes. This is what you may have missed.
Men’s basketball started their winter season off with a bang by hosting the NYU Holiday Classic. After beating Clarkson University 87-77 in the first round behind LS sophomore forward Evan Kupferberg’s 31 points, they faced Kenyon College and won 60-44. After barely squeezing past Hunter College with a score of 66-63, NYU began its conference play against opponents in the University Athletic Association.
The team began the UAA portion of their schedule with a 64-58 victory against Brandeis University at home. Since then, the results haven’t been in NYU’s favor. NYU lost to the University of Chicago 58-50 despite Kupferberg’s double-double (10 points, 10 rebounds). NYU then traveled to Washington University, where they were defeated by a score of 81-65, their largest loss of the season.
Women’s basketball was also active during the winter period. Just like their male counterparts, they started this period with the NYU Holiday Classic where they beat both Oswego State and Cabrini College. They then squared off against Hunter College, where they were able to get their most convincing win of the season with a score of 95-58. Five separate players earned double digit figures. They opened up conference play by defeating both Brandeis University and the University of Chicago before squaring off with their toughest challenge yet, No. 2 Washington University. The ladies put forth a strong fight but eventually received their first loss of the season, falling by a score of 70-60.
Men’s volleyball looks to pick up where they left off last year. After finishing 2013 ranked No. 13 in the nation by the American Volleyball Coaches Association, NYU was recently upgraded to number 10 to start the season. The team looks to win a title this year behind the arms of Stern senior Connor Mortland, who was chosen as a preseason All-American. NYU hosts their first home match on Tuesday, Jan. 28, at Coles Sports Center.
In the pool, NYU’s men’s swimming and diving team defeated Springfield College on Jan. 18 at Palladium Athletic Facility. They won the dual meet by a score of 187.5-76.5 behind strong swims from LS freshman Jason Bo, who won the 200-yard butterfly, and Tisch freshman Max Phillips, who won the 200-yard freestyle.
Finally, NYU was represented well by three of its fencers. NYU’s team featuring LS sophomores Andrew Kelly and Alec Martini, and LS freshman Quinten Burgunder were able to advance to the final bout at the Division 1 North American Circuit where they eventually lost 45-39. The fencing team hosted the NYU Invitational, where they lost in five of the six matches they competed in against some fierce competition, including fourth-ranked Notre Dame and sixth-ranked Ohio State.
A version of this article appeared in the Monday, Jan. 27 print edition. Ferenc Puskas is a staff writer. Email him at sports@nyunews com.