RIVERDALE, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's basketball team captured the championship of the First Annual College of Mt St. Vincent Tip-Off Tournament, beating the host, 54-52, on Saturday afternoon. Junior Kelvin Gil scored 12 points and had four rebounds en route to being named the tournament's Most Valuable Player.

Lehman overcame a ten-point deficit with 8:13 to play in the second half, before rallying for the win. Senior Anthony Rodriguez (Bronx, N.Y./Roosevelt) and Gil (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) hit back-to-back threes to bring the lead down to just four points with 5:33 to play. Senior Phil Ductan (Bronx, N.Y./Kima) got fouled and hit both free throws, and suddenly the lead was down to two, 50-48.

CMSV remained stone cold, and, with 2:29 remaining, the Lightning took the lead on a three-point play by junior Stanley Stephens (New York, N.Y./Manhattan Center).

Play continued, and with just 59 ticks remaining, CMSV regained the lead on a Shaquille Cunningham layup. But Lehman would not relent.

Rodriguez hit what would be the eventual game-winning shot just 20 seconds later, on an assist from Ductan.

Down the stretch, the Dolphins missed their final two shots from the field, and turned the ball over once, and Lehman held on for the exciting win.

Gil was voted the Tournament's Most Valuable Player, and was joined on the All-Tournament team by Phil Ductan.

Lehman will play its next game on Tuesday, November 20, against Vaughn College. The game will be played at the College of Mt. St. Vincent, with tip off slated for 8:30 p.m.