UTICA, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's basketball team withstood a furious finish in regulation, outlasting the SUNYIT Wildcats, 63-58, in overtime, in a game played in Utica, N.Y. Lehman advances to 5-2 on the season, while SUNYIT is 0-5.

Lehman's defense was the key late in the game. In overtime, Lehman scored six of its nine points from turnovers. Junior forward Stanley Stephens (New York, N.Y./Manhattan Center) scored four of his game-high 17 points in those extra five minutes.

In the second half, Lehman led by as many as seven points, 46-39, with just 6:34 to play. The Wildcats would continue to scrap, and eventually took the lead at 51-49, with 3:37 to go. The teams traded baskets, with Lehman taking a three-point lead with just 21 ticks remaining, when Stephens connected on a pair of free throw attempts.

Just five seconds later, SUNYIT's Desmian Greer drained a three-pointer to tie the game at 54 apiece. Lehman held for one final possession, but senior Quaseem Weems' (Bronx, N.Y./Beacon) three-point attempt was not good.

The Lightning led by as many as 14 points midway through the first half on a Ryan Alvarado (New York, N.Y./Urban Peace Academy) three-pointer.

On the evening, three others joined Stephens in double-digit scoring: junior Kelvin Gil (Bronx, N.Y./CardinalHayes) had 14, Alvarado with 11, and junior Erasmo Soto (Harlem, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) with 10. Soto recorded a double-double for Lehman, adding 14 rebounds, while recording seven assists and five steals.

The Lightning next take to the hardwood on Tuesday, December 18, hosting Yeshiva University at 8:00 p.m. Please note that the game will be played at Yeshiva University.