CLEVELAND, OH- The University of Rochester men's basketball team used a great 19-3 start to the game to power them to a big 88-66 win over Case Western Reserve University on Sunday afternoon.
 
Rochester (16-0, 5-0 UAA) started scorching from the field, shooting 9-13 from the floor to ignite the burst to being the game.  Defense and rebounding also keyed the big start for the Yellowjackets as they held the Spartans to just 1-7 shooting in the first seven minutes of the game.
 
“We have got guys that just love to play basketball, and that really helps us, especially on the defensive end” said head coach Luke Flockerzi.  UR would end up outrebounding the Spartans 40-24.
 
Pacing the undefeated Yellowjackets was senior John DiBartolomeo who finished with 31 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds.  Tyler Sankes had a nice game inside with 14 points and five rebounds on 6-6 shooting from the floor.  “We kept our energy up and focused on playing well right from the start” said the sophomore Sankes.
 
The hot shooting for UR continued all throughout the first half, as the Yellowjackets ended the first session shooting 61% from the floor, leading 45-25.  For the entire 40 minutes, UR shot 57% (35-61) from the floor.  The 'Jackets nailed seven 3-pointers and hit 11-13 (85%) free throws.
 
Overall for Rochester, nine players scored led by DiBartolomeo's 31 and Sankes' 14.  Tyler Seidman chipped in 10 points.  Kevin Sheehy and Kyle Reardon had seven each while Rob Reid and Nate Vernon had six points.
 
The Spartans (8-8, 1-4 UAA) were led by Austin Fowler who had 24 points and five rebounds.  Brian Klements had 14 points and four rebounds.  The two combined shot 14-22 from the floor, but the rest of Case Western Reserve didn't shoot as well, ending the game just 10-36 shooting.
 
“A road sweep in the UAA is a great accomplishment, and our guys set the tone right from the opening tip” said Flockerzi, who's Yellowjackets are off the best start since 2003-04 when UR was 19-0.
 
Rochester's two road wins this weekend already beat last year's win total away from the Palestra in conference play, when UR was just 1-6.  The Yellowjackets return home for next weekend's matchups with NYU and Brandeis on Friday and Sunday.