New York, N.Y. – The Geneseo men’s basketball team (0-1) opened its season with an 84-74 loss to #27 New York University (1-0) in the opening round of the host Violets’ Tip-Off Tournament. The Blue Knights will face Gwynedd Mercy (0-1) at 1 p.m. in Sunday’s consolation game.

Junior forward Jordan Jones (Rochester/McQuaid) led Geneseo with 17 points and sophomore forward Gordon Lyons (Buffalo/Canisius) added 15. Senior forward Ryan Riefenhauser (Dobbs Ferry/Dobbs Ferry) scored 13 points and paced the Blue Knights with eight rebounds and a career-best six steals.

The host Violets, who never trailed, opened up a seven-point lead midway through the first half but a 10-4 Geneseo run pulled the Blue Knights to within 34-33 with 4:45 to go before intermission. NYU scored 20 of the next 29 points to build a 12-point second half lead. A stretch of seven straight points by the Blue Knights closed the Geneseo deficit to five but they got no closer.

Sophomore guard Andy Drescher (Christian Brothers Academy/Syracuse) made all four of his shots – including three three-point baskets – off the bench, matching a career high with 11 points in just 13 minutes. Lyons pulled down seven rebounds. Junior guard Thomas Decker (White Plains/Archbishop Stepanic) and junior guard Connor Fedge (Bellport/Bellport) each had a team-high three assists.

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