Last Friday the Brandeis Judges men’s basketball team took on the Rochester Yellowjackets in their second UAA match at home. Brandeis came into the match with a record of 6-6 overall and 0-1 in the UAA. The Yellowjackets came in with a 7-5 overall record, while being 0-1 in the UAA as well. Starters Tim Reale ’17, Colby Smith ’16, Carlin Haymon ’18, Jordan Cooper ’18 and Sam Dowden ’17 started off the match with four three-pointers in the first five minutes to keep the game close. Brandeis kept it tight with the Yellowjackets with the largest difference between the scores at four. The game was tied at 21-21 with 8:44 remaining when John Powell ’17 hit a layup to give the Judges a 23-21 lead. Rochester came back with a three-pointer and the Yellowjackets never trailed again. The Yellowjackets then went on a 12-2 run, which led to a 10-point difference, which Smith closed to a seven-point difference before the end of the half by scoring the last five points for the Judges, ending the game with a score of 39-46 Yellowjackets. Brandeis hit 54.8 percent of their shots in the first half of the game with Rochester at 58.6 percent.
The Judges came out strong in the second half starting with the ball, but eventually could not overcome the 14-2 run by the Yellowjackets in the first five minutes, making the score 60-41. Jack Fay ’17 worked his way down the court to score a three-pointer to stop the Yellowjackets’ run. Brandeis slowed the Yellowjackets down by keeping their shooting percentage at 43.5 percent at the beginning of the second half. Robinson Vilmont ’17 led the team in scoring with a total of nine points. He was the only Brandeis athlete with more than two field goals, scoring three of nine three-pointers and hitting two free throws at the line. Powell ended the game with six points and team high of five rebounds. Haymon tied for game-high honors with three assists. The Judges ended the game with a score of 53-77.
The men’s basketball team played again on Sunday against Emory University for their first win in the University Athletic Association (UAA) conference. The men’s team won 76-68 in overtime, outscoring Emory 15-7 in the extra time. The Judges hit 13 for 15 from the free-throw line. The victory improved Brandeis’ overall record to 7-7.
The Judges were behind in the first half before coming back in the second half to tie the game. The Judges brought that energy into overtime for the win against Emory. Cooper led the Judges with 24 points, a season high and his fourth overall best in collegiate play. Cooper went five of six from the line, eight of 13 from the field and three of five from outside the arc. Vilmont finished with 16 points, while classmate Powell contributed 13 points off the bench. Powell scored more than Emory’s reserves combined. Vilmont and Powell tied in rebounds for a team high, with a seven rebound reach. Powell also contributed on the defensive end with three blocks.
The Judges will take the court again Fri. Jan. 22 at 9 p.m. against the Washington University in St. Louis for their fourth UAA match up of the season and will then take the University of Chicago on Jan. 24.
