BRONX, N.Y. – The Lehman College women's basketball team's rally in the second half was not enough, as the Lightning suffered a hard-fought loss to Baruch College, 70-56, in CUNY Athletic Conference action, at the APEX Main Gym, on Wednesday evening.
After falling behind, 42-26, in the early stages of the second half, the Lightning (10-5, 4-3 CUNYAC) came storming back by scoring the game's next eight points. Lehman's rally began on a successful layup by junior forward Yarmese Jones (Astoria, N.Y./William C. Bryant), while being fouled, to send her to the line. Jones hit the free throw to complete the three-point play and pull the home team to within 13. Jones capped off the run by converting another layup to shrink Baruch's (10-4, 7-0 CUNYAC) lead to 42-34, with 12:17 remaining in regulation.
After the Bearcats extended their advantage to nine, junior forward Linda McKeon (Yonkers, N.Y./Moyne C.S.) fed the ball to classmate Jennifer Navarro (Jamaica, N.Y./Grover Cleveland), who nailed a wide-open three-point shot, to pull the Lightning to within six, with 11:44 left to play. Lehman's defense held Baruch to just one point in a span of 6:23.
McKeon successfully hit a pair of free throws to cut Baruch's lead to 45-41, with 8:38 left. Unfortunately for the Lightning, that was as close as they would get, as Baruch regained momentum by going on a 15-4 run, in a span of 5:32, to put the game out of reach for Lehman. The Bearcats ended up winning the game, 70-56, to remain unbeaten in CUNYAC play.
Four Lightning players reached double-figures in scoring. Junior forward Karrin Walker (New York, N.Y./Richard. R. Green) tallied a double-double with 16 points and 12 rebounds. Jones just missed a double-double, as she produced 11 points and nine boards. Junior forward Amani Lightbourne (Elmsford, N.Y./Alexander Hamilton) and Navarro each added 10 points, while McKean scored six, with five rebounds and five assists.
On Friday, Lehman will travel to Hunter College, for a CUNYAC showdown with the Hawks. The game will begin at 5:00 p.m.
For all of the latest information on the Lightning, visit www.LehmanAthletics.com, www.instagram.com/LehmanAthletics, search for Lehman Athletics on Facebook.com, and at www.twitter.com/LehmanSports.