Box Score
Click here for video of Alain Dela Cruz' game-winning shot
The Lehman College men's basketball team (6-12 Overall, 3-4 CUNYAC) picked up a huge victory on Saturday afternoon, defeating the Beavers of the City College of New York (6-11 Overall, 2-6 CUNYAC) by a score of 68-65 at the Nat Holman Gymnasium in upper Manhattan. Lehman's Alain Dela Cruz drilled a three-point basket at the final horn, and that bucket have the Lightning the thrilling victory.
"It was a tremendous clutch basketball by Alain, and it was a big victory for the team," Lehman College Head Coach Steven Schulman said after the game ended. "What can't be dismissed is the fact that we battled back again late, as we were trailing by eight points with just under 2:40 to go, and I feel as though we showed our grit again, just as we did in the come-from behind victory against Medgar Evers earlier in the week. This was a great victory for this club."
Dela Cruz finished the afternoon with 20 points, six rebounds, and five assists. 15 of his 20 points came via the three-point basket, as the standout connected on five of his 10 attempts from beyond the arc. It was one of his finest games as a member of the Lightning. In addition - Xavier Garvin put forth another gem as he netted a team-high 22 points to go along with four rebounds and four steals. He made good on eight of his 18 attempts from the field, and also drained four of six attempts from the charity stripe. Senior Perry Daniel added 12 points, 14 rebounds, and three steals, and Jonathan DeJesus contributed seven points.
The Lightning trailed 62-54 with 2:38 remaining in the game, and Lehman finished the contest on a 14-3 run. It was another come-from-behind victory for the team, who earlier in the week rallied from holes of 14-0 and 60-47 to grab a win over the Cougars.
Despite the loss for the Beavers, City College was led by Brendan Barile who netted a game-high 26 points on seven-of-10 shooting (he also connected on all eight of his free throw attempts while grabbing seven rebounds.) Vincent Roberts also added nine points and 12 rebounds.
The Lightning out-rebounded the Beavers by a margin of 44-38, and Lehman College also won the turnover battle, committing 13 miscues to CCNY's 18. What made things difficult for the Lightning was their free throw efficiency compared to the Beavers', as Lehman hit on just 11 of their 25 attempts from the charity stripe, while CCNY made good on 19 of their 23 attempts.
The Lightning will look to continue their recent solid play as the team will travel to Brooklyn on Wednesday evening for a battle with the Yellow Jackets of the New York City College of Technology, with game-time scheduled for 7:00pm.
