Bronx, NY --- The Brooklyn College Men's Basketball team began the New Year with a loss on the road against the Lightning of Lehman College, 73-62, in City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) action on Saturday afternoon at the APEX in the Bronx.

With the loss, BC falls to 3-7 overall on the year and 1-3 in the CUNYAC; while Lehman improves to 8-4 overall on the season and 3-1 in league play.

Sophomore Jamel Gist led all scorers with 23 points, doing most of his damage from the free throw line, where he converted 12-of-14 from the stripe. Gist also grabbed eight rebounds. Backcourt teammate, junior Jai Kellmanadded 18 points, while junior center Valon Djombalic finished with a double-double, scoring 10 points and registering a game-best 18 rebounds, to go along with five steals.

Lehman also had three players in double figure scoring, led by Jonathan Greenfield's team leading 18 points. Stanley Stephens added 17 points, while Jerrome Jones ended the game with a double-double with 11 points and 13 rebounds. Kevan Proctor added a team-best 14 rebounds, as the Lighting out-rebounded the Bulldogs, 56-43.

The game saw four lead changes and six ties.

Following a free throw from junior Justin Staton that gave the Bulldogs a three-point advantage, 22-19, with 6:18 remaining before the halftime break, the Lightning would take full control of the period the rest of the way, closing out the half on a 17-2 run to take a 12-point, 36-24, halftime cushion.

Lehman would score the first points of the second half on a dunk from Stephens that gave the Lightning a 14-point advantage, 38-24, their largest of the game. From that point on, however, the Bulldogs would cut into its deficit and eventually regain the lead on a pair of free throws from Kellman that capped off a 22-7 Brooklyn run, giving Brooklyn a one-point edge, 46-45, with 11:35 left in the game.

The BC lead would not last long, as Lehman answered with three straight points from Greenfield. Kellman would once again come through at the line tying the game at 48 with 10:13 left on the clock.

That's as close as Brooklyn would get the rest of the way, as Greenfield scored the next five points to give Lehman separation. The Lightning would eventually rebuild its advantage to double figures, en route to taking home the 73-62 win.

For the game, BC was held to just 29.2% (19-65) from the field and 16.7% (3-18) from three. The Bulldogs shot 80.8% (21-26) from the free throw line.

Lehman shot 34.2% (25-73) from the field and 22.2% (2-9) from beyond the arc. The Lightning also shot 80.8% (21-26) from the charity stripe.

Brooklyn will return to action this Tuesday, January 7th, as the Bulldogs will welcome the Baruch College Bearcats to the West Quad Center for another CUNYAC matchup. The game is scheduled for a 7:15 pm start time.