BROOKLYN, N.Y.— The John Jay men's basketball team lost a conference contest at Medgar Evers College 81-71 on Monday evening.
 
The loss drops John Jay to 13-10 (9-5 CUNYAC), while Medgar Evers improves to 10-12 (6-7 CUNYAC).
 
The host Cougars led most of the way as Medgar Evers opened the game on an 18-5 run to take a 13 point lead with eight minutes gone by.
 
But the Bloodhounds did not go away and stayed within striking range. John Jay never had a first half lead, but the Bloodhounds pulled to within four with five minutes to go in the first half before Medgar Evers went into halftime ahead 35-29.
 
In the second half, with 15:31 to go, Medgar Evers went back up by double digits and led 46-36. John Jay kept the game close and eventually tied the score with just under ten minutes to go as the score was 55-55 with 9:56 remaining.
 
John Jay eventually took its first lead of the night with 7:18 to play as the Bloodhounds were up 60-58 after a pair of free throws. John Jay eventually led by as much as four and led 67-63 with 3:36 left to play.
 
The Bloodhounds still led in the contest with 2:42 to go as they held a 69-67 lead. But Medgar Evers closed out the contest on a 14-2 run to retake the lead and draw away late.
 
Darryl Dennis and Jamar Harry led the Bloodhounds with 18 points, while Michael Howard added 11.
 
Medgar Evers had three players earn double-doubles and was led by Michael Taylor with 20 points and 12 rebounds. Winston Douglas had 19 points and 17 rebounds, while Jovan Deare had 12 points and 10 rebounds. He connected on just one field goal and was 1-for-7 from the floor, but went 10-for-12 from the free throw line.
 
Medgar Evers outrebounded John Jay 59-41 to help outscore the Bloodhounds 16-7 on second chance points. Medgar Evers went to the free throw line 43 times, connecting on 33 free throws, while John Jay went to the foul line 29 times, making 17.
 
John Jay returns to action on Wed. Feb. 6 for a home contest against Brooklyn College at 7 p.m.