The Baruch College Bearcats lost in the first round of the 2011 NCAA Division III Tournament to the Warriors of Eastern Connecticut State University (ECSU) by the score of 75-65 on Friday night in Amherst, Massachusetts.

Tanisha Carter led ECSU (21-8) with a double-double of 20 points and 19 rebounds to advance to the second round on Saturday, March 5, to play the winner of this evening's other first round contest at LeFrak Gymnasium between #2-ranked Amherst College and Husson College of Maine.

The Bearcats led by seven points at halftime (40-33) as Jessica Dulebaand Megan Bouwenseach scored 10 points.

During the start of the second half, they led twice by 10 points and owned a nine point advantage of 53-44 with 14:56 remaining in regulation.

ECSU responded over the next six minutes to score 12 consecutive points to take their first lead of the second half at 56-53 at the 9:09 mark.

Monique Salmonconnected on two free throws to cut the score to 56-55 with 8:53 remaining, but ECSU finished the NCAA contest by connecting on eight of their final 12 shots, including three 3-pointers, to walk away with the 75-65 victory in the first-ever meeting between the two schools.

ECSU shot 35 percent (13-37) in the first half, but exploded in the second half by shooting 55 percent (18-33) and 4-of-9 from three-point range.

The Bearcats committed only four turnovers the entire game, while their defense forced ECSU into committing 11.

Duleba led the team in scoring this evening and missed a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds. Bouwens (14 points, 7 rebounds), Salmon (13 points, 5 assists) and Regina Washington(10 points) rounded out the double-figure scorers.

The Baruch Bearcats finish the 2010-11 season with a record of 23 wins and six losses.