Box Score
The Lehman College men's basketball team (9-4 Overall, 3-0 CUNYAC) stayed perfect in conference play for the 2008-2009 season, defeating the College of Staten Island Dolphins (2-10 Overall, 0-3 CUNYAC) by a score of 71-57 Wednesday evening at the Sports and Recreation Center in Staten Island, New York.
From the outset, Lehman appeared to have the advantage, constantly keeping the Dolphins at bay in what a tightly-contested and low scoring first half of play. The Lightning opened on a 7-0 run, scoring on an opening three-ball by Alain Dela Cruz and consecutive interior lay-ins by Duane Rhoden and Jonathan DeJesus. A few moments later, at 16:32, Lehman extended to their largest lead of the stanza, 10-2, on a three-ball by Alen Redzic.
The large lead was short-lived though as a pair of Ryan Hennessey three-pointers cut the lead to two. The teams struggled to find offense after that, and over the next ten minutes, at the 6:06 mark, the score was tied at a modest 17-17 apiece. CSI grabbed their first lead on a pair of Hennessey free-throws at the 4:19 mark, taking a 21-20 lead. From there, the teams traded shots, and a Dale Taranto lay-up by CSI knotted the score at 26-26 at the break.
The game's second half was then dictated by momentum, and CSI had the hot hand to start the stanza. A 14-5 run by the Dolphins over the first five minutes, highlighted by four Jordan Young baskets, gave CSI a comfortable 40-31 lead with 14:38 left. Slowly, however, Lehman had an answer, and ultimately staking a numbing 19-0 run over another five minutes, to take a commanding 63-48 lead with just 2:28 to play. Rhoden and Scottie Nimmons each posted six points over the run. Lehman notched 8-of-9 free throws down the stretch inside of two minutes to play to ice the game at the charity stripe.
Lehman placed four players in double figures, led by Nimmons' 16 points. Rhoden notched 14 points and eight rebounds. Redzic notched 12 and 9 rebounds, while Xavier Garvin finished with an even 10 points. CSI, which shot just 30% for the game, were led by Hennessey's 21 points, while Jordan Young finished with 14 points. Lehman took advantage of free-throws as well, nailing 23-of-31 from the stripe, while CSI finished just 9-of-13 from the line.
The Lightning will next travel to Hunter College for a CUNYAC battle with the Hawks in Manhattan on Friday evening, with game-time scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
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