BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's basketball team held the lead late in the second half, but could not hold off a resilient CCNY team, falling 71-67. Lehman led as late as the 5:44 mark of the second half, but could not hold on.

In the first half, Lehman (6-9, 1-5 CUNYAC) led for all 20 minutes, sans 27 seconds. But the Lightning were able to rebuild the lead to 11 points late in the half, and took a 44-35 lead at the break. Junior guard Kelvin Gil (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) scored 11 points through 20 minutes, making four of his five shots from the floor, including 3-of-4 from beyond the arc.

In the second half, CCNY (5-10, 1-6 CUNYAC) made the first three baskets, cutting the lead to 44-41. From there, the game seesawed back and forth, with Lehman building a lead only to have the Beavers come right back.

Lehman led by five points at the 6:36 mark, when freshman Driton Hasangjekaj (Bronx, N.Y./DeWitt Clinton) drained a three-pointer, making the score 61-56. From there, CCNY rallied.

A 7-0 Beaver run was punctuated by a David Solano three-pointer, and CCNY had the lead for good.

Lehman would keep it close, and trailed by just two points with 1:25 to play, when senior guard Phil Ductan (Bronx, N.Y./Kima) made a layup. The score was 67-65.

Solano would make another three ball to extend the lead to five points with 12 ticks left, and CCNY held on the for the win.

On the day, Ductan scored 17 to lead Lehman, while adding six rebounds and six assists. Hasangjekaj also had 17, making seven of his eight shots.

For his efforts, Ductan earned the Dr. Ed Kramer Most Valuable Player Award, as presented by his widow, Ms. Cheryl Kramer, and Mr. Nick McNichols.

With the home stand over, Lehman takes to the road next week, specifically, fo a date at Baruch College on Wednesday, January 16.