The Rams from Farmingdale State University had five players in double-figure scoring to defeat the Bearcats, 85-80, in a non-conference match up on Monday night in Farmingdale, New York.

Baruch, which trailed by double-digits midway through the second half, rallied late to tie the game at 78 on a three-pointer by junior Mike Dietz (Queens, NY/Archbishop Molloy) with 1:06 left. 

The Rams responded in the final minute with a jumper and two free throws to go back up by four, 82-78, with 12 seconds left.

Lionel Hilaire (Far Rockaway, NY/Archbishop Molloy) got Baruch as close as two points on a pair of free throws, but the home side finished off their home-opener victory with three-of-four free throws to clinch the 85-80 victory.

The Bearcats received most of their scoring this evening from a strong group of underclassmen led by sophomore George Kunkel (Glendale, NY/Archbishop Molloy) with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

The freshmen backcourt duo of Hilaire (Far Rockaway, NY/Archbishop Molloy) had 19 points and five rebounds, while Tammer Farid (Woodside, NY/Stuyvesant) scored 16 points. 

Sophomore point guard Jeffrey Leider (Las Vegas, Nevada/Cheyenne) came off the bench to hit a pair of 3-pointers. He finished with eight points.

The visiting Bearcats got off to a quick start in the first half to build a 30-18 advantage, but the Rams slowly chipped away at the deficit to record their second victory of the young season. 

Junior guard Damien Santana (Brooklyn, NY/Grady) led the Rams with 17 points, seven rebounds and four assists.

The men’s basketball team will return to action this upcoming Saturday with their home opener against Richard Stockton College. Tip off in the ARC Arena is scheduled for 2:00 pm.