The Baruch College Bearcats defeated the Brooklyn College Bulldogs, 67-54, in a CUNYAC home contest played on Tuesday night in the ARC Arena.
The result keeps the Bearcats undefeated at 12-0 overall and 6-0 in the CUNYAC, while the visiting Bulldogs drop to 8-4 overall and 3-2 in the CUNYAC.
The Bulldogs took a six-point lead (23-17) on a three-pointer by Zoe Randolph with 6:30 left in the first half and appeared to control the action in the first part of the game.
The Bearcats responded with strong defense by keeping the Bulldogs scoreless in the final 4:26 of the half and scored five straight points to take a one-point lead (26-25) into the halftime break. They continued the momentum at the start of the second half with an 11-2 run within the first five minutes to lead 37-27.
The Bearcats would later lead by as much as 12 points (48-36), but the Bulldogs scored nine straight points to get as close as 48-45 with 7:24 remaining.
The Bearcats responded again with a 9-2 run, highlighted by five straight points scored by Jessica Duleba, to go back on top comfortably 57-47 with 2:41 left. That run was enough to clinch the victory in a game that was much tougher than what the final score would indicate.
Neither team shot the ball well this evening with the Bulldogs at 27.4 percent (17-62) and the Bearcats at 30.3 percent (19-63). The Bearcats won the rebounding battle with a 56-42 margin.
Duleba had a double-double with a career-high 29 points, which included 19-of-22 from the free throw line, to go along with 10 rebounds. Alicea Ulmernetted career-highs in points (20), rebounds (15) and steals (3) in an overall dominating performance at both ends of the court.
Francess Henryovercame a frustrating first half (0-6 fg) to finish with an all-around effort of 12 points, six rebounds, four assists, three blocks and three steals. Sheridan Taylor, the CUNYAC Player of the Week, came up big defensively again with seven rebounds and a career-high seven steals.
For the second straight game off the bench, Imani Davidsontied a career-high 10 rebounds in just 15 minutes of action.
Vanessa D'Ambrosi was the lone player for the visiting Bulldogs in double-figures with 17 points, seven rebounds and five steals.
Baruch will return to action on Monday, January 14, with a non-conference contest at DeSales University from the Middle Atlantic Conferences. Tip off in Center Valley, Pennsylvania is scheduled for 6:00 pm.