The Baruch College Bearcats lost a highly-competitive 71-65 season-opening contest to the Ospreys of Stockton College on Tuesday night in Galloway, New Jersey.

The visiting Bearcats led at halftime (33-30) and were later up 44-37 after a Veronica Ganzi layup, but the Ospreys scored 13 straight points to lead 50-44 after three quarters.

The deficit would grow to 57-46 with 6:32 left, but the Bearcats did not go away quietly as a layup by Jacqueline Kennedy and a three by Ganzi put the score at 57-51 with 5:01 left.

Shannon Barrett nailed a three two minutes later to get as close as five points (59-54), but the Ospreys, who reached the second round of the NCAA Tournament last year, scored the next five points to seal the home victory.

Ganzi led the Bearcats with 19 points, while Kennedy finished with 15 points and Kristen Podlovits a near double-double of 13 points and nine assists.

Barrett totaled 11 points and Daniela Arias had a solid Baruch debut with seven points, nine rebounds, and six steals.

Lea Mondolla led Stockton with 18 points, seven rebounds and three steals.

The Bearcats will compete this weekend at the NYU Tip-Off Tournament hosted at Hunter College. The Bearcats play NYU on Saturday at 6 p.m.