The City College of New York Beavers lost a heartbreaker and was eliminated in the first round of the CUNYAC tournament with the score of 74-71 to York College. With the loss, CCNY is eliminated and they end their 2015-16 season 13-13, while the victory moves York onto the second round to face Brooklyn College on Saturday, February 20.
City struck first, but it would not be that easy for the Beavers to keep that lead. York kept the score close early in the first half. York was dominating in offensive rebounds early in the game. The Cardinals went on a 6-0 run to take a 12-11 lead with just under 12 minutes left in the half. CCNY would not let the Cardinals get away with the lead for long as they fought hard and took control. It would be a close couple of minutes for the teams looking to advance to the second round. It would be City to lead 37-31 as the first half wound down.
Sharpshooter David Solano led the Beavers with 15 points. Cardinals Anthony Mason and Ryan Smart combined for 10 rebounds. City shot an impressive .636 from the field and held York to just a .371 field goal percentage. They also shot an astonishing .714% from the three point line.
The Beavers were up by eight points to start the second half, but the Cardinals took control. Once York was able to tie the game, they knew they could take the lead. It would be City remaining in control until a big surge that put the Cardinals up 63-54 with just over four minutes left in the game. This game would come down to the wire though as CCNY trailed 71-69 with 34 seconds remaining. Then with 16 seconds in the game the Beavers were still down 73-71. It was a close game, but the Cardinals came out on top with a 74-71 victory.
Four Cardinal players finished with double figures; two of them in double doubles. Mason led the Cardinals with 17 points, 11 boards. Smart added 16 points with 15 boards (12 came from defense). Rashaan Bailey added 13. Chad Coachman added 13. As for the Beavers, Solano led the Beavers with 17 points, while Khalil Hamer added 16. Mark Richards and Robert Dionisio both added 12. Blake Borysewicz grabbed 11 boards on the game. City shot .444, while York shot .394 from the field.
