The Baruch College Bearcats lost 59-56 to the Cougars of Medgar Evers College on Tuesday night in the ARC Arena.

The visiting Cougars led throughout a majority of the game forcing the Bearcats to play catch up.

The two teams were tied late at 54 with 1:20 left, but Nagay Herrera, Jr. hit one of two free throws for a 55-54 Cougars' lead.

Rookie Emil Purisic took back the lead with a layup with 33 seconds left to make it 56-55 and that set up the tense final seconds.

Dimitri Weeks hit two free throws to jump ahead 57-56 and the Cougars stopped the Bearcats on their next possession grabbing a rebound and getting fouled with 11 seconds remaining.

They missed both free throws to give the Bearcats another possession to tie, but the Bearcats couldn't convert and suffer the disappointing home loss.

Purisic led the Bearcats with 13 points, while George Smyth, Jr. posted a double-double with 10 points and rebounds each.

Mousa Sinera was top scorers for the visitors with a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

The Bearcats will quickly return to action on Thursday night with the 16th Annual Battle of Lexington contest against rival Hunter College at 8:00 p.m.