JAMAICA, N.Y.—The York College men's basketball team got its biggest win of the season on its senior day, defeating Baruch College, 50-49, giving the Bearcats their first loss in CUNYAC play this season.
The game came down to the final play, with Baruch's Edward Roscigno missing a lay-up as time expired that would have given his team the victory. The shot bounced off the rim twice and then went out, leaving fans to hold their breath as the final buzzer sounded.
Plenty of drama led up to that play as well. York was clinging to a narrow lead for most of the second half, with both teams struggling to make field goals down the stretch. In the final seconds, the Cardinals looked like they could breathe a bit easy, when they had the ball and a 50-48 lead with nine seconds to play. However, York's Franklin Green turned the ball over and after some contact with another player was called for a technical foul—giving Baruch two shots and the ball with 7.5 seconds left. Ryan Markoe missed the first shot and made the second to cut the deficit to one before York stopped Baruch on the final possession.
It wasn't the prettiest game, with both teams struggling to hit open shots. York shot just 37 percent, while Baruch shot 34 percent. Both teams struggled from the line as well. York was 4-of-10, while the Bearcats were 7-of-13. York also did not make a field goal in the last 4:05 of the game but still managed to pull out the victory.
Leading the way for York (13-9, 8-5 CUNYAC) was Jaron Williams, who had a great all-around game with nine points, eight boards, three blocks and five steals. Ryan St. John scored a game-high 11 points and Rashaan Bailey added ten points.
Baruch (16-5, 12-1 CUNYAC) was led by Bryler Paige and Roscigno, who each scored ten points.
The game started with the Cardinals taking an early, 6-5 lead. But Baruch exploded for a 16-2 run—getting eight straight points from Paige during the stretch—to take a 21-8 advantage. When it looked like Baruch might put the game away early, St. John brought York back. St. John hit two straight three's including one for a four-point play. Then after a Baruch basket, he made another three, cutting the deficit to 23-20. York would eventually go into the locker room down 31-28 after a Rashaan Bailey buzzer-beater.
In the second half, York would take its first lead since early in the game following a running jumper by Green with 13:16 to play. Later they held a 45-40 advantage with 11:22 to go following a Williams made jumper. Both teams went cold from there, scoring just seven combined points over an eight-minute span. With 3:10 to play, it was just 48-44. Neither team made a field goal the rest of the way, with the remaining points coming on free throws.
The win helps to keep York's hopes of hosting a first-round CUNYAC playoff game alive. The Cardinals sit just one game back of the coveted fourth spot with three CUNYAC games left to play. Up next for York is John Jay College on Tuesday at 7 pm.