BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's basketball team won a crucial game on Friday night, 74-71, over rival Hunter College. With the win, Lehman sweeps the season series from Hunter.

The game was a dogfight from the opening tip, though Hunter (7-12, 4-6 CUNYAC) was able to open up an eight-point lead midway through the first half. However, the Lightning responded with an 8-2 run, to trim the lead with 8:45 to go in the opening stanza. Barely a minute later, senior Quaseem Weems (Bronx, N.Y./Beacon) grabbed an offensive rebound and scored on a put back, and suddenly Lehman had the lead back, 24-23, with 7:32 to go. Lehman's senior guard Phil Ductan (Bronx, N.Y./Kima) managed the final points in the half with just four seconds to go, and Hunter held a 35-33 lead at the half.

Lehman (7-12, 2-8 CUNYAC) started the second half with possession, and Ductan made a quick layup, knotting the score at 35 apiece.

Hunter would build a four point lead at the 12:56 mark, when Jerrell Antley made one of two free throws. Lehman would then go on a 9-0 run, sparked by six points by senior Anthony Rodriguez (Bronx, N.Y./Roosevelt).

Lehman would eventually lead by as many as 13 points, with 4:14 to go, when junior Stanley Stephens (New York, N.Y./Manhattan Center) had a fastbreak layup, with an assist from classmate Erasmo Soto (Harlem, N.Y./Cardinal Spellman).

From there, Hunter began making shots from all over the floor. The Hawks would get as close as one point, at 72-71, with 47 seconds left. Free throws down the stretch allowed Lehman to snatch the victory, 74-71.

In all, the score was tied seven times throughout the game, and there were nine different lead changes.

The top three scorers in the game all came from Lehman: Ductan finished with 14, while Gil and Rodriguez each had 13. Hunter out-rebounded Lehman, 44-37. For the game, Hunter managed to make just 14 of 24 free throws, while Lehman converted 22 of 34.

Lehman will take the weekend off, and will travel to face John Jay on Monday, January 28, at 7:00 p.m.