Brooklyn, NY --- In a battle for borough bragging rights, the Brooklyn College Men's Basketball team got the better of their interborough rivals, the Bears of St. Joseph's College (Brooklyn), 85-79, on Thursday evening at the West Quad Center.

With the win, BC improves to 12-2 overall on the season, while St. Joseph's (Brooklyn) falls to 8-5 overall on the year.

The Bulldogs had five players score in double figures, including four starters. Egzon Gjonbalaj led the way with a game-high 22 points, to go along with nine rebounds and six assists. Lorenzo Williams recorded a double-double with 17 points and a game-best 11 rebounds, while Jamel Gist finished with 11 points, six assists and five rebounds. Valon Djombalic chipped in with 11 points, all in the first half, while Harry Hazan contributed with 10 points coming off the bench.

Matt O'Neill led the Bears with a team-high 20 points, while Michael Megafu added 18 points, seven assists and seven rebounds. Richard DiPuma provided an offensive spark off the bench, scoring 11 points.

The Bulldogs never trailed in the game as BC kept St. Joseph's (BK) at bay throughout the contest. The Bears would tie the game once at 13 all on a three-pointer from O'Neill at the 14:45 mark of the first half, but that's as close as the visitors would get to threatening to take the lead from the Bulldogs, as the home team would eventually take a 10-point, 47-37, halftime lead.

The Bulldogs used a hot shooting hand to control the opening period, as BC shot 54.1% (20-for-37) in the half, including 41.7% (5-for-12) from beyond the arc. Three-point shooting helped keep the Bears in the game, as the visitors hit an impressive seven daggers from three, shooting 50% (7-for-14) from deep. St. Joseph's (BK) shot 41.2% (14-for-34) from the field in the first half.

The second half would see much of the same for Brooklyn, as the Bulldogs would build their lead to as many as 14, 55-41, with 15:37 remaining in the game, on a jumper from Williams.

The Bears would chip away at its deficit and eventually get to within four, 72-68, on a layup from Megafu with 6:08 left on the clock. However, a 9-1 run by BC would balloon the Bulldogs' lead back to double figures to 12, 81-69, with 2:39 remaining until the final buzzer and put the game out of reach. The home team would go on to hold off its guest, 85-79, to earn a hard-fought non-conference victory.

For the game, Brooklyn shot 53.0% (35-for-66) from the field, including 31.6% (6-for-19) from three. The Bulldogs struggled from the line, converting just 42.9% (9-for-21) from the charity stripe.

St. Joseph's (BK) shot 42.6% (29-for-68) from the field, including an impressive 42.9% (12-for-28) from beyond the arc. Similar to BC, the Bears also struggled from the free throw line, shooting an identical 42.9% (9-for-21) from the line.

The Bulldogs won the battle of the glass, out-rebounding the Bears, 46-37, which led to a 25-10 advantage in second chance points for Brooklyn. BC also outscored St. Joseph's (BK) 52-22 in the paint.

Brooklyn returns to action this Saturday, January 10th, as the Bulldogs will hit the road to take on the Bearcats of Baruch College in a key CUNYAC matchup with first place on the line. The game is scheduled for a 4:30 pm tip-off. Live stats and audio will be available for the game.