Senior forward Daniel Falcon added 12 points and a game-high 11 rebounds as the Violets recorded a 36-12 edge on points in the paint. NYU will now play Emerson College, an 85-81 victor over Moravian College in the other first-round game, for the championship Sunday at 3 pm. Alfred and Moravian will vie in the consolation game at 1 pm.
The NYU-Emerson game will be aired on www.wnyu.org, and can also be accessed by clicking the WNYU link on the left side of the page.
“I was really pleased with our effort level and our intensity,” NYU head coach Joe Nesci said.
In the first half, NYU used superior play from its frontcourt to take a 32-22 halftime lead. Alfred had pulled within 17-15 on a three-pointer by Garlen Patt with 7:37 before the break. However, the Violets went on a 13-4 spurt to take a 30-19 lead with 2:56 remaining after a pair of free throws by Falcon.
During the NYU surge, senior center Jason Boone contributed four points, five rebounds and three assists, while helping the Violets seize sizable edges on points in the paint (16-6) and rebounds (19-8) through the first 20 minutes. A d3hoops.com Preseason Second Team All-American, Boone finished with five points, eight rebounds and five assists.
DeCorso scored nine points in the first half for NYU, while Falcon finished the first 20 minutes with six points and seven caroms. Patt led Alfred with eight points, including a pair of three-pointers.
In the second half, NYU led by as many as 29 and ended up shooting 50.9 percent (28-55). Ten different players contributed in the scoring column for the Violets. Senior guard Matt Basford scored 11 points for the winners, while reserve junior center Michael Magee contributed nine points, seven rebounds and four assists. NYU got assists on 22 of its 28 field goals.
“I thought our big guys did a good job in recognizing and in passing out of double teams,” Nesci said. “They executed well.”
Center Dillon Stein led Alford with 10 points and six rebounds, while Patt and guard Ryan Clemenson tallied eight points apiece. Forward Pat Smithgall paced the Saxons with eight rebounds.