Brooklyn, NY --- The Brooklyn College Men's Basketball edged out the Giants of Keystone College, 82-78, on Saturday afternoon at the West Quad Center.

With the win, the Bulldogs improve to 14-3 overall on the season, while the Giants fall to 3-10 overall on the year.

The victory also improves BC to 7-0 at home this season, as Brooklyn concludes its non-conference schedule with an 8-1 record. Along with today's win over Keystone, members of the Colonial States Athletic Conference (CSAC), the Bulldogs have three victories over the Skyline Conference (The Sage Colleges, The College at Old Westbury & Maritime College) and one win over the Empire 8 Conference (Stevens Institute of Technology), the New Jersey Athletic Conference (New Jersey City University), the Freedom Conference (Manhattanville College) and an Independent (St. Joseph's College – Brooklyn). BC's lone non-conference loss came in its season opener, an overtime loss against the NJAC's William Paterson University.

Leading the way for BC against the Giants was Egzon Gjonbalaj, who recorded his sixth double-double of the season, with 25 points and 13 rebounds, both game-highs. Jai Kellman added 17 points, while Lorenzo Williams finished with 15 points. Jamel Gist also registered a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.

Keystone was paced by Dan Candemeres, who netted 20 points (17 in the second half), doing most of his damage from beyond the arc, where he went 6-for-9. Duncan Lunsford added 19 points, while Miles Dargan and DaVaugh Roberts-Thomas each chipped in with 12 points. Tyreek Peeples dished out a game-high 11 assists.

The first half featured back-and-forth action, as the teams combined for three ties and four lead changes. Neither team would lead by more than four points early on.

After a layup from Lunsford put the home team up by four, 20-16, with 13:30 left in the first half, the Bulldogs would begin to take control of the game, using a 23-6 run to go ahead by 13, 39-26 with 4:22 remaining before the halftime horn.

Brooklyn would eventually go in to the locker room with a nine-point, 44-35, halftime advantage.

The Giants would continue to cut into its deficit in the second half; however, the Bulldogs would keep the visitors at bay as Keystone would only be able to get to within one on two occasions through the first six minutes of the second stanza.

After a jumper from Gjonbalaj put the Bulldogs up by 8, 69-61, at the 7:38 mark; the Giants would make another push, and this time would retake the lead following a 10-1 run over the next four minutes to go up 71-70 with 3:07 on the clock.

BC would answer with a bucket from Gist to regain the lead at 72-71 (2:34), the Giants would retaliate with four straight points to go up three, 75-72, with just 37 seconds remaining. Following another basket from Gist that made it 75-74 in favor of Keystone, the Bulldogs would take advantage of crucial Keystone turnover on the inbounds that set up a huge three-pointer from Kellman that put the home team up for good, 77-75.

Continued turnovers by the Giants in the final seconds, along with some clutch free throws would allow Brooklyn to ice the game and escape with the 82-78 victory.

For the game, BC shot 42.1% (32-for-76) from the field, but struggled from beyond the arc (17.2% / 5-for-29) and from the free throw line shooting just 54.2% (13-for-24).

Keystone shot 39.2% (29-for-74) from the field, including 31.8% (14-for-44) from three. The Giants went 6-for-10 (60%) from the line.

Brooklyn won the battle of the glass, out-rebounding Keystone, 54-43.

The Bulldogs will now focus back onto City University of New York Athletic Conference (CUNYAC) play, as the final eight games of the season will all be against conference opponents. BC is currently tied for second place in the conference standings at 6-2.

Brooklyn will take on The City College of New York (CCNY) this Wednesday, January 21st at Nat Holman Gymnasium. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm. The Bulldogs will look to sweep the season series over the Beavers, as BC defeated CCNY, 96-70, back on November 25th at the West Quad Center.