Chimaechi Ekekeugbor led four players in double-figure scoring with 19 points and 12 rebounds to lead the visiting Bearcats to an entertaining 76-73 win against the Maccabees of Yeshiva University on Thursday night.

The two teams were tied at the half (40-40), but the Bearcats scored the first basket of the second half on a lay up by George Smyth, Jr. and never lost the lead to record the close victory.

However, the Maccabees did not go quietly in the final minute. The Bearcats owned a lead of 74-69 with 1:46 left, but Maccabees scored a pair of lay ups to cut the score to 74-73 with 23 seconds remaining. 

William Sixsmith, despite a time out called by the hosts, calmly hit two free throws with five seconds left to seal the win to give the team an 8-2 record as the second half of the regular season schedule begins.

Ekeughbor notched 11 points, 10 rebounds in the second half to finish with his double-double. Smyth, Jr tallied a career-high 13 points, Bryler Paige had 11 points with two steals, and Allen Villar had 10 points off the bench to contribute to the big win. 

Doyin Isaac finished with a solid nine points and eight assists.

Overall, the Bearcats shot 53 percent (28-for-53) from the floor, including a torrid 62 percent (16-for-26) in the first half. 

Dien Pieneca led the Maccabees with 20 points, which included 15 points in the second half.

The Bearcats will return home for a New Year's Eve afternoon clash on Saturday at 3:00 p.m. against the Cougars of Kean University.