The Baruch College Bearcats overcame a late rally by the Cardinals of York College to hold on to a 79-78 CUNYAC win on Wednesday night in Jamaica, New York.

The visiting Bearcats led by eight points at the half (41-33), and were in control throughout the start of the second half until a late rally by the Cardinals helped them claw back to take a 74-72 lead with 3:42 left.

Raymond De La Cruz tied the game on the team's next trip down court, but the Cardinals came back with another layup to lead again 78-76 with 2:59 remaining.

That would be their last basket of the game as the Bearcats' defense shutout the Cardinals in those final three minutes, while a Jack Shanahan free throw and the winning basket by Chimaechi Ekekeugbor with 18 seconds left was enough to clinch the hard-fought victory in Queens.

Ekekeughbor finished another busy night with a double-double of 29 points, 15 rebounds to help power the team to an important 7-3 record in the competitive CUNYAC standings.

Shanahan missed a double-double by one rebound (16 pts, 9 rbs), while De La Cruz (100th career game) added 14 points and Edward Roscigno 10 points for the victory.

Overall, the Bearcats shot 54 percent (28-for-52) this evening.

Ryan Smart and Chad Coachman each scored 21 points in the home loss for the Cardinals.

The Bearcats will resume action on Alumni Day, Saturday, January 30, with a 6:30pm CUNYAC contest against the Cougars of Medgar Evers College. Prior to the game at 5 p.m., the men's basketball team will host their annual alumni game.