WAYNE, N.J. – The Lehman College men's basketball team rallied late, but could not overcome the host William Paterson University Pioneers on Tuesday night, falling 80-76. Lehman falls to 1-2 on the season, while WPU is 2-0.

The Lightning scored 43 points in the final 20 minutes of the game, but could not overcome a 16-point half time deficit.

Lehman led right out of the gate, as junior Jerrome Jones (Bronx, N.Y./Mt. Vernon) made a layup just 20 seconds into the game. After a traditional three-point play by WPU, junior Brandon Stolz (Bronx, N.Y./Truman) made a layup, and Lehman was up, 4-3. From there, the Pioneers went on an 8-0 run to seize control of the game. Lehman would cut that lead to just six, at 26-20, when senior Ryan Alvarado (New York, N.Y./Urban Peace) connected from long-range, at the 8:06 mark. The lead would swell to 16 at the break.

In the second stanza, Lehman used a 9-0 run to get right back into the game, which was started by a three-pointer by senior Kelvin Gil (Bronx, N.Y./Cardinal Hayes). WPU then went on their own run, extending the lead to as many as 21 points, with just over eight minutes to play. Another 8-0 run got Lehman back in the game, as senior Danny Rock (Yonkers, N.Y./Archbishop Stepinac) had a pair of baskets in the run.

With barely over one minute to play, Stolz made a layup, cutting the lead to 10 points, 79-69. A Gil jumper at the buzzer gave us the 80-76 final.

Stolz and Jones each recorded double-doubles. Stolz had 20 points, Jones 10. Each had 10 rebounds. Alvarado and Rock each also scored in double figures, with 13 and 11, respectively.

After a three-game road swing to open the season, the Lightning return to the Bronx for the home opener on Thursday, November 21, hosting the New School in the APEX at 7:00 p.m.