The Baruch College Bearcats pulled out a 73-67 CUNYAC win at rival Hunter College on Friday night.
The visiting Bearcats received a total team effort with five players in double-figures to defeat the Hawks on their Homecoming Night at the Sportsplex.
The conference game was tightly contested and was decided in the final minutes.
Hunter's Brian Kruger hit a layup to cut Baruch's lead to one point (63-62) with 1:51 left to bring the large crowd to its feet, but rookie Bryler Paigequickly quieted the crowd with a clutch three for a 66-62 advantage with 1:09 on the clock.
Edward Roscignoand Ryan Markoewould each hit a free throw to build a six-point cushion (68-62), but Hunter did not go quietly as Kruger connected on a three to cut the score to 68-65 with 35 seconds left.
The Bearcats ended the game by hitting 5-of-6 free throws and limiting the Hawks to one layup with a second remaining to walk away with the important road victory.
Granville Gittens(11 rebounds) and Chimaechi Ekekeugbor(eight rebounds) led the team with 16 points each, while Paige finished with a career-high 14 points.
Markoe and Roscigno each had 11 points to help the Bearcats raise their season record to 4-1 and 1-0 in conference play.
The team shot 29-of-33 from the free throw line this evening.
Lester Anim led the Hawks (3-5, 0-2 CUNYAC) with 14 points.
Baruch will go on the road again on Tuesday, December 9, for a 7:30 pm CUNYAC contest at the College of Staten Island Dolphins.