The Baruch College Bearcats shot 60 percent in the game, including an impressive 13-for-15 (87 percent) from the field in the second half, to defeat York College of Pennsylvania, 72-55, in a first round game of the Scranton Radisson Invitational on Friday night in Scranton, Pennsylvania.

The Bearcats trailed early, 8-5, but a three-point play by Matas Rasciustied the action at eight apiece with 14:14 left in the first half. From that point, the Bearcats outscored York 27-17 to enter the halftime leading, 35-25.

During the second half, everything seemed to bounce the right way as they shot 87 percent (13-15) from the field as the Bearcats led on two different occasions by 27 points in John Alesi's Baruch coaching debut.

York, which was stunned by the offensive effort, could never keep up as the Bearcats equally impressive defensive pressure created 22 points off 17 turnovers.

The bench played a major part this evening scoring 43 points compared to only 14 by York.

Jason Berlinerled four players in double-figure scoring with 15 points on 6-of-8 shooting, while newcomers Joshua Vital(7 rebounds), Franklin Garcia(3 assists, 2 steals) and Edward Roscigno(3-4 fg) finished with 10 points each.

Todd Maciejewski led York from the Capital Athletic Conference with 17 points (8-13 fg).

The Bearcats advance to the championship game of the weekend tournament on Saturday, November 17, at 4:00pm, to play #18 Scranton.