Bronx, N.Y. – For the fifth time in the last the six years, the Lehman College men's basketball team will play in the championship game of the annual Coaches vs. Cancer tournament this Sunday after defeating visiting St. Joseph's College-LI, 82-66, in the semifinals on Saturday afternoon at The APEX Main Gym.  The Lightning improve to 5-5 overall mark this season, while the Golden Bears drop to 3-4 record.

After trailing 46-39 two minutes into the second half, Lehman went on a 15-0 run to take a 54-46 advantage with nine minutes remaining and later led by as many as 19 points to post its fourth consecutive victory of the campaign.

Guard Gian Batista led the way for the Lightning with his first 'double-double' of the season scoring 21 points and dishing out 10 assists.  Forward Mo Idrissou added 18 points for Lehman, while teammate Isaiah Geathers also had a 'double-double' with 17 points and 12 boards.

The Lightning will look to lift the tournament trophy, for the first time since 2014, when they take on Vassar College, which topped McDaniel College 88-55 in the other semifinal encounter, on Sunday in the championship game set for 5 pm.