BRONX, N.Y. – Once again, the Lehman College men's basketball team struggled down the stretch, and fell to visiting Medgar Evers College on Wednesday night, 66-60. The Lightning (6-11, 1-7 CUNYAC) have now lost seven games this season by six points or less.

Lehman actually held the lead late in the game, rallying from a nine-point deficit earlier in the half. Junior Erasmo Soto (Harlem, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman) made a pair of free throws at the 6:24 mark to give Lehman the lead at 54-53. On their next possession, junior Ryan Alvarado (New York, N.Y./Urban Peace) tipped in a rebound, extending the lead to three points, 56-53.

However, Medgar Evers (7-10, 3-5 CUNYAC) would hit back-to-back three pointers to retake the lead, a lead they would no longer relinquish. Lehman would stay close, trailing by as few as three, but the Cougars held off the pesky Lightning.

On the night, junior Stanley Stephens (New York, N.Y./Manhattan Center) led Lehman in scoring with 15 points, while freshman Driton Hasangjekaj (Bronx, N.Y./DeWitt Clinton) added a double-double of 12 points and 10 rebounds. Senior guard Phil Ductan scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half.

Up next, the Lightning will host Hunter College on Friday night, January 25, at 5:00 p.m.