BOX SCORE

The men’s basketball team won an 89-83 overtime contest against the College of Staten Island on Saturday afternoon in Staten Island, New York.

The visiting Bearcats (17-6, 9-2 CUNYAC) trailed throughout most of the second half, including a 73-67 deficit with 44 seconds left in regulation, but rallied on a rare four-point play and a late three-pointer to send the contest to overtime.

Lionel Hilaire started the late rally to stun the Dolphins by hitting a three-pointer and getting fouled in the process with 26 seconds left. He connected on the free throw for the four-point play to cut the deficit to 73-71.

Michael Ledbetter hit one of two free throws for a 74-71 CSI lead with 22 seconds left, but Baruch quickly responded with a three-pointer by Tammer Farid to tie the contest (74-74) with just 15 second left.

A late foul with five seconds left gave the home team two free throws and a chance for the lead, but the Bearcats survived after both free throws were missed to send the game to overtime.

During the overtime, the two teams exchanged several baskets to keep the extra session tied (81-81) with 1:50 left, but Hilaire took over again in clutch time by hitting another three-pointer and two free throws for an 86-81 lead with 49 seconds left.

Staten Island missed consecutive three-pointers and could not recover as Chris Beauchamp and Mickey Abbatiello sealed Baruch’s first overtime victory of the season on free throws to clinch the important road victory.  

Beauchamp led the visiting Bearcats with a double-double of 22 points and 13 rebounds, while Hilaire finished with 20 points and four assists. Sean Loftus had another big game with 18 points (6-8 fg) and five rebounds. Farid finished with 13 points.

Michael Ledbetter led Staten Island (10-12, 5-6 CUNYAC) with a double-double of 28 points and 14 rebounds.

The men’s basketball team will return to action on Thursday, February 11, with a 7:30 pm Battle of Lexington home contest against the New York City College of Technology.