JAMAICA, N.Y. – The York College men's basketball gave fifth-ranked Dickinson College a scare, but in the end, the Red Devils were just too strong and they defeated York by a score of 83-71 on Saturday afternoon.
Dickinson's Brandon Angradi was the star of the game, as he led all players with 32 points, making 10-of-16 shots from three-point range, including converting a four-point play with two minutes remaining to seal the victory. Gerry Wixted added 12 points, nine rebounds and four assists.
York (8-4) was led by Omar St. John, who scored a team-high 21 points, with 17 coming in the second half, and by Cyril Reid, who netted 20 points and drained four shots from beyond the arc. Jaron Williams chipped in 12 points, nine boards and two blocks. James Wolf grabbed a team-best ten rebounds.
Dickinson (10-1) got off to a fast start, thanks in large part to Angradi, who made three shots from long range in the first six minutes to put the Red Devils up 18-6.
From there, York was forced to play catch-up the rest of the way. York got within a single possession on several occasions throughout the game, but each time the Cardinals looked poised to go ahead, Dickinson responded back with a run.
A three-pointer by Ryan St. John helped cut the deficit down to three points (25-22) with 8:59 left in the opening half. But Dickinson closed the half strong and took a 15-point lead (48-33) going into the locker room.
York got back in the game quickly, opening the second half on an 11-0 run, thanks primarily to a pair of three pointers by Reid. The game then stayed within two possessions for York until an Omar St. John three-pointer cut the deficit to two points (59-57) with 11:08 to go. The Cardinals then missed out on a golden opportunity to take the lead, failing to score on their next three possessions.
Dickinson then pushed the lead back to ten points with 4:48 remaining and looked to have the game in hand. York made one more run to cut it to just six points with two minutes left. But Angradi followed with a three-pointer from well beyond the arc and was fouled on the play. He made the free throw and suddenly York trailed by ten points (79-69) with under two minutes remaining. That play clinched the victory for Dickinson.
The game featured the highest ranked opponent that York College has ever played. The previous highest-ranked opponent was #7, which came last year, when the Cardinals faced off with Amherst College in the NCAA Tournament. The game also marked the end of York's home winning streak. The Cardinals had won 12 straight home games, dating back to November 26, 2013.
Next up for the Cardinals is CUNYAC-foe Brooklyn College on the road Tuesday. Tip-off is set for 7:15 p.m.