BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College men's basketball team suffered a tough loss to Yeshiva University, 66-62, in non-conference action in the APEX, on Tuesday evening.
With 2:01 left to play in regulation, sophomore forward Driton Hasangjekaj (Bronx, N.Y./DeWitt Clinton) took a feed from senior guard Scott Arias (New York, N.Y./Rice) and nailed a three-point basket to give Lehman (5-5) a 62-58 lead. However, the tide would turn as the Maccabees (9-3) scored the final eight points of the game to snatch the victory.
In the first half, Lehman fell behind by ten, but would score 11 of the last 15 points in the final 5:23 of the half. Highlighted in that run was nine points scored by Hasangjekaj, including a layup while being fouled on a fast-break. After he hit the free throw, Lehman was only behind 26-25 with 2:25 left to play. Lehman went into the locker room, down 28-25.
In the second half, Yeshiva was up by three but Lehman would respond by going on a 7-0 run, in a span of 2:20, capped off by a successful jump shot from senior guard Jonathan Greenfield (Hartford, Conn./Windsor) to put the home team up, 36-32, with 14:21 remaining in regulation.
Lehman was in position for a come-from-behind win, but Yeshiva's late run in the last two minutes of the game sealed the Maccabees' ninth win of the year.
Greenfield and Hasangjekaj each scored 17 points. Junior forward Jerrome Jones (Bronx, N.Y./Mount Vernon) added 12. Arias forced four steals.
Lehman will return to the APEX Main Gym on Monday, December 29, for the first day of the 8th Annual CUNY Athletic Conference Coaches vs. Cancer Basketball Classic. The Lightning will host Shenandoah (Va.) University, at 4:00 p.m.
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