Men's Hoops Fall to NYU, 65-49

UNION, N.J. (11/16/08) - Sophomores Jonathan Jones (Linden, N.J.) and Akinwande Oshodi (Florence, N.J.) each finished with 10 points, however the Kean University men's basketball team fell to New York University, 65-49, at THE ROCK Cougar Classic presented by Marriott on Sunday evening.

Sophomore forward Richie Polan (Tarzana, Calif.) finished with a game-high 18 points to lead the Violets (2-0) and earn Most Valuable Player honors in the classic. 

The Cougars built an early 10 point lead at 13-3 after knocking down three straight three-pointers with 13:30 left in the opening half.  However, NYU closed out the half on a 19-5 run to take a five point lead at halftime, as senior center John Mish (Holland, Pa.) had seven points in the opening half.  For the Cougars, Oshodi (pictured right) had six points and four rebounds to lead the Cougars.

After the Violets opened the half on a 13-5 run to extend the lead to 41-29, Kean scored nine unanswered points to pull back to within three points at 41-38.  That would be as close as the Cougars would get however, as NYU hit back-to-back three-pointers to ignite a 9-0 run of its own and would eventually build a 21-point lead at 61-40 with just 2:47 remaining en-route to the 16-point victory.

For the Cougars, Oshodi added seven rebounds and two steals, while Jones hit 4-of-6 shots from the floor and 2-of-3 from long range. 

Mish finished with a double-double of 11 points and 13 rebounds, while junior guard Omar Meziab (Tucson, Ariz.) added 10 points.

In the other match-up, Clarion University knocked down a pair of free throws late to hand University of Redlands a 66-65 loss.

Trailing 64-59 with just 91 seconds remaining, Redlands senior Travis Miller (Coto de Caza, Calif.) scored seven straight points to give the Bulldogs a 65-61 lead with 39 seconds remaining.  On the ensuing Clarion possession, the Golden Eagles had a pair of offensive rebounds and senior center Josh Yanke (North Canton, Ohio) was eventually fouled and went to the line and knocked down both free throws with three seconds left for the 66-65 victory.

Yanke had a double-double with 19 points and 10 rebounds, while freshman forward Paul McQueen (Garfield Heights, Ohio) chipped in with 11 points and 11 rebounds for the Division II school.

Redlands was led by sophomore Matt Dietrich (Phoenix, Ariz.), who had a team-high 16 points on 6-of-9 shooting, while sophomore guard Patrick Keating (Fountain Hills, Ariz.) added 10 points and four assists.

THE ROCK Cougar Classic Presented by Marriott All-Tournament Selections

MOST VALUABLE PLAYER

John Mish, New York University

ALL-TOURNAMENT TEAM

Richie Polan, New York University

Vinnie Darpino, Kean University

Jonathan Jones, Kean University

Matt Dietrich, University of Redlands

Josh Yanke, Clarion University