WALTHAM, Mass – Brandeis University blistered the nets for 61 percent shooting in the second half and rolled to a 78-64 victory over the University of Rochester at the Auerbach Arena on Friday night.
The Judges made 19 of 31 from the floor in the second 20 minutes after hitting just 10 of 25 (40%) in the opening half. Brandeis hit five of eight three-point shots in the second half, eight of 18 for the game.
Vytas Kriskus scored 15 points and grabbed eight rebounds for the Judges. Ben Bartholdus scored 14 points and blocked two shots. Anthony Trapasso scored 11 points in 16 minutes off the bench.
Nate Novosel led Rochester (9-4, 0-2 University Athletic Association) with 15 points.
John DiBartolomeo scored 13 points, added six assists, and three steals. Tyler Siedman scored eight points. He hit a pair of three-point goals.
Brandeis improved to 8-5 overall, 2-0 in the UAA. The Judges are tied for first place with Washington (Mo.) University. Rochester goes to NYU on Sunday while Brandeis hosts Emory. On Friday night, NYU defeated fourth-ranked Emory, 89-73.
DiBartolomeo scored seven points and
Kevin Sheehy added two more in a 9-0 run late in the first half that pushed Rochester ahead, 29-25. Brandeis drew within 29-28 at halftime.
Two free throws by Novosel put Rochester up, 37-35, with 14:21 left in the game. Jay Freeman and Kriskus scored four points apiece in a 10-0 run that pushed Brandeis ahead to stay, 45-37, with 11:27 to go.
After a conventional three-point play by Rochester's
Rob Reid, Brandeis went on a 10-3 spree capped by a Bartholdus trey that made it 55-43 with 8:24 remaining.
