Brooklyn, NY --- The Brooklyn College Bulldogs, the #1 seed in the 2015 Eastern College Athletic Conference (ECAC) Division III Metro Men's Basketball Championships, were upset in the semifinals round by fellow City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) member, the #5 seeded Dolphins of the College of Staten Island, 82-79, on Saturday night at the West Quad Center.

Brooklyn concludes its season with a 23-7 overall record. The 23 wins on the season are the second most in program history, tying the 2008-2009 (23-6) team that also won 23 games. The 1949-1950 (24-5) team holds the record for most wins in a single season with 24. The loss tonight was also the first loss at home for the Bulldogs, who finish the year at 13-1 at the West Quad Center.

Staten Island moves to 19-9 overall on the season and will advance to Sunday night's championship game against #3 New York University.  The game is scheduled for a 7:30 pm tip at the West Quad Center. NYU upset #2 seed Rutgers-Newark, 81-70, in the other semifinals matchup. CSI, the reigning ECAC Metro Championships, will be in search of its second straight title.

The first half saw seven ties and six lead changes, as the rivals battled back-and-forth through the first 20 minutes of action. The Dolphins would take the slim one point advantage at the half, 40-39, on a three-pointer at the buzzer from Frank Schettino.

The Bulldogs came out of the intermission break looking to put the Dolphins away, as Brooklyn used an 18-5 run over the first 4:47 minutes of the second half to go ahead by double digits, 57-45, with 15:13 remaining on the clock. Lorenzo Williams (seven points) and Jai Kellman (six points) combined to score 13 of the 18 points in the run.

After a three-pointer from Egzon Gjonbalaj again put the home team up by double figures, 63-53, with 12:23 left in the game, the Dolphins would begin their comeback attempt and chip away at their deficit. Using an 18-7 run over the next seven minutes, Staten Island would regain the lead at 71-70 with 5:32 remaining in the game. Mohamed Marie (seven points) and Michael Tate (five points) combined to score 12 of the 18 points and fuel the run.

Brooklyn would regain the lead on a layup from Gjonbalaj to go back up by one, 72-71 (3:55); however, the Dolphins would score four straight points on a pair of free throws from Tate and a bucket from Will Fonseca to go back ahead by three, 75-72, with 3:17 left.

The Bulldogs would have their chances in the closing minutes, but would never regain the lead, as Staten Island would hold off the Bulldogs and take the 82-79 win.

Gjonbalaj led all scorers with 21 points, to go with five rebounds, five assists, three steals and two blocks. Valon Djombalic recorded double-double with 19 points and 11 rebounds, while Williams finished the night with 17 points. Kellman was the fourth Bulldog in double figures with 15 points.Jamel Gist dished out five assists, while pulling down 10 rebounds.

For the game, BC shot 41.3% (31-for-75) from the field, including 28% (7-for-25) from beyond the arc. The Bulldogs also shot just 55.6% (10-for-18) from the line.

Fonseca (19 points and 12 rebounds) and Tate (12 points and 10 rebounds) each had a double-double for the Dolphins, while Schettino finished the game with 13 points and eight assists. Edin Bracic went a perfect 4-for-4 from three for 12 points.

Staten Island shot 43.8% (28-for-64) from the field, including 45% (9-for-20) from the three. The Dolphins made the most of their free throw opportunities, going 17-for-23 (73.9%) from the charity stripe.