Coming into the game tied for first in the conference and ranked No. 21 in the latest D3Hoops.com Poll, the University of Rochester men's basketball team faced off against Brandeis University on Sunday. The Yellowjackets would fall following a strong second half performance by the Judges.
Rochester started off hot, opening up on an 8-0 run in the first 1:56 of the game. UR would lead by as many as 12 points in the first half.
Despite the double-digit lead, the Yellowjackets only found themselves up by three at halftime. Rochester shot 56% from the floor in the first half, led by
Ryan Clamage who finished the half with 8 points and 3 rebounds.
Rochester pushed the lead to five right away to start the second half. UR would lead by 7 with 14:43. Brandeis would go on a 9-0 run over the next four minutes to put the judges up 52-50 with 10:19. The Yellowjackets would tie the game up at 52 following a layup by Clamage with 9:28 left.
With 8:33 left in the game, Brandeis hit a three-pointer to put the Judges up by three. The Yellowjackets would not regain the lead the rest of the day. Every time Rochester would score from there, Brandeis had an answer. UR ended up losing the game by a final score of 75-69.
Rochester struggled offensively in the second half, shooting 37.9% from the floor and 22.2% from beyond the arc.
Brandeis was able to score consistently throughout the game, shooting 52% from the floor and 46.4% from three.
Clamage would finish the game with 21 points and 5 rebounds.
Jacob Wittig posted 12 points and 8 assists.
Andrew Lundstrom scored a career-high 15 points.
Patrick Benka contributed 10 points, 2 rebounds, and a block for the Yellowjackets.
The Judges were led by Collin Sawyer and Eric D'Aguanno. Sawyer led the team with 23 points. D'Aguanno scored 21 points, including six three-pointers on nine attempts.
The loss puts the Yellowjackets at 14-4 overall and 4-3 in conference play. Rochester is now tied with Brandeis for fourth in the conference.
Rochester will return to action on Friday 2/1 at 8 pm as they will travel to play New York University.
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