Box Score
The Lehman College men's basketball team (0-1 overall, 0-0 CUNYAC) was defeated by College of New Jersey (1-0 Overall, 0-0 NJAC) in their season opener by a score of 83-76 in double overtime Sunday afternoon at the APEX Center in the Bronx.
After the first 20 minutes of action, the Lightning trailed the Lions 30-26, shooting just 20.7 percent from the floor compared to the Lions' 32 percent shooting. In the second half, the Lions eventually would open up an eight point advantage, 47-39, with 11:30 remaining in the game. Lehman would rally, eventually grabbing the lead with 6:18 left in the game when junior point guard Xavier Garvin buried a shot to give Lehman a 52-50 lead. Then, with the Lightning leading 59-57 with 1:18 remaining on the clock, Lions standout guard Jay Frank would bury a game-tying jumper. After the College of New Jersey got a defensive stop, Frank had a chance to win the game, but his jumper with time winding down was off the mark, sending the game into overtime tied at 59.
The Lightning would score the first seven points of the overtime session thanks to back-to-back jumpers from Garvin and a three-point basket by junior guard Alain Dela Cruz. The Lions' Steve Feinberg would then drain a jumper and after Lehman came up empty on their next possession, Feinberg would make good on a pair of free throws, cutting the Lightning's lead to three at 66-63 with 1:55 left. After a turnover by Dela Cruz, Aaron Syversten would drain a three-point basket on the Lions' next possession, tying the game at 66.
Lehman senior Perry Daniel would then connect on a two-point basket following that, and the Lightning held a 68-66 lead with just under one minute to play in the overtime period. The Lions would not quit, however, as Syversten would make two free throws with 15 seconds remaining to tie the game at 68 apiece. The Lightning would fail to score on their possession, and the game moved into a second overtime.
In the second overtime, Lions standout Steven Siracusa would take over, netting five points in the period as the College of New Jersey would take control of the session and never look back.
In the victory for the Lions, Frank posted 20 points while dishing two assists. Feinberg recorded 16 points (7-8 FT) and dished four assists while grabbing four steals in 35 minutes of playing time. Syvertsen also helped with 14 points and four assists.
Despite the loss for the Lightning, Garvin led the way for his squad, netting 23 points (10-14 FT) while dishing two assists and tallying two steals. Senior guard Perry Daniel netted 22 points and three assists. Veterans Jonathan DeJesus and Alan Dela Cruz had 12 points a piece.
The Lightning will return to the court Tuesday evening as they travel to Riverdale to face the Mount Saint Vincent Dolphins in non-conference action. Game time is scheduled for 7:00pm.
