BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's basketball team overcame a late deficit to win a thriller, 52-50, over John Jay College on Friday evening in the APEX. Thanks to the key CUNY Athletic Conference victory, the Lightning ups its conference record to 6-9 while the Bloodhounds fall to 7-8 in CUNYAC play.

The Lightning trailed by nine with less than 10 minutes to go in regulation, but sophomore forward Jerrome Jones (Bronx, N.Y./Mount Vernon) nailed back-to-back jump shots to decrease Lehman's deficit to 40-35 with 8:09 remaining. Senior guard Kelvin Gil (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes) fed the ball to senior guard Ryan Alvarado (New York, N.Y./Urban Peace) who nailed a three-point basket to cut John Jay's lead to 44-42, with 4:42 left in the second half.

After the Lightning temporarily took the lead, the Bloodhounds answered with a bucket from downtown to put the visitors up, 50-48, with just 1:28 remaining.

After getting fouled, Jones went to the free throw line and successfully cashed in on both shots to tie the game at 50, with just over a minute remaining.

Lehman was able to get the ball back after a defensive stop and, in the closing seconds, Jones shot the ball which rimmed around and finally dropped in, to give the Lightning a 52-50, lead with just four ticks left on the clock. The Bloodhounds had one more opportunity but missed a layup and Lehman was able to hang on and win the game, 52-50.

Jones led the Lightning with a double-double, scoring 18 points and grabbing 10 rebounds. Junior guard Jonathan Greenfield (Hartford, Conn./Windsor) scored 17 points, grabbed nine rebounds, and dished out four assists.

Lehman will return to the APEX for the final game of the regular season on Tuesday, February 18, hosting the City College of New York.