2008-03-05 / Front Page
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Sports Updates
York Topples NYU, 56-44, to Advance to ECAC Metro Finals; Cardinals Set New School Record of Wins in a Season
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The York College men’s basketball team defeated NYU, 56-44, on Saturday evening to advance to the finals of the Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Metro Region Finals. With the win, York sets a new school record for wins with 22, breaking the previous record of 21 set back in the 1996-97 season. The Cardinals will now take on Stevens Institute of Technology, who defeated Brooklyn College, 83-74, in the other semi-final match. The game will be held at Stevens at 5 p.m. on Sunday, March 9.
NYU (15-12) looked to be on all cylinders early on, as they jumped out to a quick 5-0 lead after a lay-up by John Mish with 18:57 to play in the first half. However, the Violets suddenly went ice cold and the Cardinals took advantage. York responded with an 11-0 run capped off by a three-point play by Michael Salamanca (Hollis, NY/ Cardozo) at the 13:37 mark of the first half. The Cardinals defense stifled NYU for the rest of the first half, holding the Violets to just 14 first-half points on 22.7 percent shooting. York struggled from the field as well in the first half, however, and held just a 22-14 lead at half time.
In the second half, York looked to be in control when they held a ten-point advantage, 35-25, after two Mark Hill (Ozone Park, NY/ Longwood) free throws at the 12:59 mark. Shortly after, NYU finally found their stroke from the outside and went on an 8-0 run, capped off by a Charlie Parker three-pointer. York’s lead was cut to just two points, 35-33 with 9:33 to play.
A few minutes later, with York still holding on to a three-point lead, 39-36, Salamanca drained a big three-pointer to double their lead to six points. York never looked back from that point, extending their lead to as many as 13 points before winning by a 12-point margin.
Aaron Wilson (Brooklyn, NY/ Thomas Jefferson) led York with 14 points, while Omari Phipps (Laurelton, NY/ St. Johns Prep) finished with 13 points and six boards. Chris Roberts (Jamaica, NY/ Springfield Gardens) netted 10 points and grabbed six rebounds and Salamanca added 10 points and four assists. Mish led all scorers with 16 points, while Parker finished with 15 for NYU.
The Cardinals (22-8) have now defeated NYU twice this season with the last win coming on November 26 by the score of 63-49. NYU finishes the season with a record of 15-12.
