John DiBartolomeo scored 27 points to pace the University of Rochester to a 76-61 men's basketball victory over Brandeis University at the Louis Alexander Palestra on Friday night.
He was the only man in double figures for the Yellowjackets (14-7 overall, 5-5 University Athletic Association). Four others scored eight points or more.
Rob Reid, Nate Novosel, and
Kevin Sheehy scored nine points apiece.
Nate Vernon had eight points.
Vytas Kriskus led Brandeis with 21 points and eight rebounds. Jay Freeman scored 12 points in 27 minutes off the bench. Youri Dascy had 11 points. Brandeis is 12-9 overall, 6-4 UAA.
Tyler Seidman made two free throws to ignite a 15-6 run over seven-plus minutes for Rochester. DiBartolomeo had five points in the run and Novosel scored four. The burst opened a 33-23 lead for Rochester which led, 37-29, at halftime.
Layups from Freeman and Kriskus plus a jumper by Alex Stoyle helped the Judges pull within 62-57 with 4:22 left. DiBartolomeo made two free throws and Sheehy converted a traditional three-point play, driving for a layup and adding the free throw. DiBartolomeo finished the run with a three-pointer from the top of the circle. It increased Rochester's lead to 70-57 with 2:37 remaining. The Yellowjackets made six free throws in the last 85 seconds.
Rochester shot 57% from the floor (27-47) and 50% outside the arc (6-12). Brandeis made 43% of its floor shots (23-53) and 25% from long range (4-16). Rochester held a slim edge on the boards, 29-26, led by
Chris Dende with seven. Kriskus had eight rebounds for Brandeis.
The Yellowjackets have won 18 straight regular-season home games in the Palestra (10-0 this season) and 14 straight home UAA games, dating back to the 2009-10 season. Brandeis was the last UAA team to defeat Rochester in the Palestra (87-70).
On Sunday, Rochester hosts NYU (18-3, 7-3 UAA) at noon. The Violets entered the weekend tied for first place with Washington at 73. They lost at Emory on Friday night.
