NEW YORK, N.Y. - The Lehman College men's basketball team got back into the win column on Friday night, beating host Hunter College, 72-65, in CUNY Athletic Conference play.

Junior Erasmo Soto (Harlem, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) scored 19 of his game-high 21 points in the second half to lead the Lightning (4-1, 1-1 CUNYAC). In that second half, Lehman exploded for 49 points to overcome a nine-point deficit at the break.

In the first half, the game was tight through the 6:17 mark. With the score tied at 17-17, Hunter (2-5, 0-2 CUNYAC) went on a 15-6 run down the stretch, and took the 32-23 lead at the half.

The second stanza saw Hunter continue to push the tempo, extending the lead to as many as 15 points, 48-33, with 15:16 to play. Then, the game quickly became the Erasmo Soto show.

Soto nailed a jumper to begin a 10-0 run, and the Lightning had new life.

Shortly thereafter, Soto scored seven consecutve points, and, with 8:29 to go, the score was tied at 52 apiece. On Lehman's next possession, junior Kelvin Gil (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) got an offensive rebound and fed senior Quaseem Weems (Bronx, N.Y./Beacon) for a layup, and Lehman retook the lead, 54-52. It was a lead Lehman would keep for the rest of the game.

Joining Soto in double-figures in scoring were Gil, who had 17, and junior Stanley Stephens (New York, N.Y./Manhattan Center), who had 16. Stephens also led the team in rebounding, with eight.

The Lightning have some time off before retaking the hardwood. Up next, Lehman will host St. Joseph's College of Brooklyn, on Monday, December 10, at the College of Mt. St. Vincent, at 8:00 p.m. Lehman will then play the following day, December 11, at SUNY Old Westbury.