Heading into 2012, the men's basketball team seemed to have finally righted the ship. After a 2-5 start to the season, Brandeis reeled off six straight wins, including two notable wins against University Athletic Association rivals University of Rochester and New York University.

While snapping the streak in a 95-58 blowout loss to No.4 Emory University, the Judges have left reason for fans to be optimistic. Last Friday, they handily defeated Rochester by a margin of 77-64. To open up the conference portion of their schedule last Saturday, the Judges topped NYU in a 52-49 overtime victory.

Despite the two UAA wins and a notable six-game winning streak, the Judges finally met their maker– a dominant Emory offense that was not going to be tamed by a previously lockdown Judges defense.

Emory roared right out of the gates, posting their best offensive effort of the season against a Brandeis team that had shut down other UAA offenses. In the first half, the Eagles shot 60 percent from the field and a startling 90 percent from behind the three-point line, good for a season-high 61 points in the first half.

While the Judges limited Emory's offense in the second half, holding the Eagles to 34 points and 11 of 29 shooting, it was a valiant effort that proved to be too late. Brandeis also outrebounded Emory by a margin of 34-30, but the Judges allowed too many second-chance opportunities to capitalize.

Guard Ben Bartoldus '14 noted the team regrouped in the second half, but ultimately the effort proved futile.

"Our team stepped up and brought the energy and confidence in the second half, but ultimately could not get the job done."

Forward Alex Stoyle '14 recorded an impressive effort off the bench. In just 18 minutes, the sophomore forward dazzled, scoring 12 points with a career-high seven rebounds. Bartoldus and forward Vytas Kriskus '12 also added 12 points.

In a game featuring the top two three-point shooting teams in Division III, the game between Brandeis and Rochester did not disappoint. The Judges pulled away from the YellowJackets in the second half en route to a 78-64 victory. Brandeis put up a notable 50 points in the second half, outscoring Rochester by 15 points in that stretch.

The first half proved to be a thrilling seesaw affair. During the first 20 minutes, there were five ties and four lead changes, the biggest lead by either team standing at five points. Rochester began the game on a 5-0 run, and after the Judges took their biggest lead of the half, 25-20, Rochester rolled off nine points in a row, taking a 29-25 lead. Brandeis would down a three-pointer to close the gap at 29-28, heading into halftime.

The second half, however, was a different story. After Rochester took a 37-35 lead, Brandeis went on a 10-0 run, jumpstarted by reserve guard Jay Freeman '13, who nailed a put-back on a missed three-pointer. With three steals, the Judges pulled ahead 45-37.

After a small run by Rochester, the Judges went on another charge, rolling off a 10-3 run to extend the lead to 55-43 with eight minutes, 24 seconds left. Brandeis sealed the deal after that key run, stretching the lead to an eventual 78-64 win.

Coach Brian Meehan's halftime speech fueled Brandeis' improved play in the second half.

"At the half, coach reminded us of our prior defeats against Rochester," Bartoldus said. "He told us we needed to bring the energy for the second half."

The Judges led by as many as 18 points in the second half, shooting 61.3 percent while holding the YellowJackets to just 46.7 percent. Brandeis also outrebounded Rochester 19-10 in the half and held a dynamic offense - at 51.9 percent on the season—to just 42.6 percent and 33.3 percent (6-18) from three-point land.

Kriskus led the team with 15 points and eight rebounds. Bartoldus scored 14 points, his seventh game in a row in double digits. Forward Anthony Trapasso '13 had 11 points and five rebounds off the bench, while point guard Tyrone Hughes '12 tallied nine points and a team-leading eight assists.

Last Saturday, Brandeis knocked the New York University Violets from the ranks of the unbeatens, coming away with a 52-49 victory in the Judges' UAA opener.

Brandeis did not trail in the game after the 13:45 mark in the first half. In a game of runs and outstanding defense in the second half, Brandeis snuck out of the Coles Sports Center at NYU with a close win. They led 49-42 with 5:06 left, but neither team was able to score over the following four minutes.

With 41 seconds left, NYU cut the deficit to five, 49-44. Hughes and guard Derek Retos '14 went three-of-four from the free-throw line, sealing the game.

Bartoldus led Brandeis with 12 points. Kriskus scored eight and co-led the team in rebounds with eight. Center Youri Dascy '14 also grabbed eight boards, in just 16 minutes of play due to foul trouble. Center Wouter Van der Eng '13 had his most productive game of the season, scoring nine points and grabbing seven rebounds.

The Judges will look to regain their momentum this Friday in St. Louis, when they tip off against Washington University in St. Louis at 9 p.m.

— Adam Rabinowitz contributed reporting.