The Baruch College Bearcats are returning to the CUNYAC Championship game after upsetting the Lightning of Lehman College, 80-64, in a CUNYAC semifinal contest on Tuesday night at CCNY's Nat Holman Gymnasium.
The #5 seeded Bearcats entered tonight's contest having defeated Hunter (68-61) and Medgar Evers (91-78) to advance to the semifinal round, while #1 seed Lehman enjoyed a double-bye and were playing for the first time in the tournament.
The well-rested Lightning couldn't keep up with the motivated Bearcats as rookie Doyin Isaacscored 22 of his 26 points in the first half, while sophomore Chimaechi Ekekeugborrecorded a double-double in the second half (12 points/11 rebounds) to give the Bearcats their second straight appearance in the championship game that will be televised on ESPN3.
The Bearcats scored the first six points and kept the Lightning off the scoreboard in the first five minutes to set the tone early.
Lehman managed to get as close as two (42-40) in the opening minutes of the second half, but the Bearcats responded with key shots the rest of the way, including a long three by Ekekeugbor with 2:09 left, for an 11-point (71-60) lead that proved insurmountable for Lehman.
The Bearcats will play Brooklyn College in Friday's championship game that will include the winner earning a berth to the NCAA Division III Tournament next week. The game is also a re-match of the same two teams that played in last year's championship.
For a complete schedule/results, please read below. Teams are seeded based upon the final regular season conference standings.
CUNYAC MEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP BASKETBALL SCHEDULE/RESULTS
Thursday, February 18th - Men's First Round (Higher Seed)
#7 York defeated #6 CCNY, 74-71
#5 Baruch defeated #8 Hunter, 68-61
Saturday, February 20th – Men's Second Round (Higher Seed)
#3 Brooklyn defeated #7 York, 72-62
#5 Baruch defeated #4 Medgar Evers, 91-78
Tuesday, February 23rd – Men's Semifinals at CCNY #5 Baruch
#5 Baruch defeated Lehman, 80-64
#3 Brooklyn defeated #2 Staten Island, 78-69
Friday, February 26th– Men's Championship at CCNY (ESPN3)
8:30 p.m. #3 Brooklyn vs #5 Baruch