Natalie Ibelhaupt connected on a backdoor layup with 0.5 seconds left to lift the Bearcats to an exciting 74-72 CUNYAC home win over the Dolphins of Staten Island on Bearcats Appreciation Night.

The Bearcats started on fire jumping to a 17-2 lead after seven minutes of play.

They took a 35-30 lead into halftime and built on their momentum in the third quarter to go up by as much as 11 points (52-41).

The visiting Dolphins stormed back by scoring 11 of the final 14 points in the third to cut the margin to 55-52 and set up a tense fourth quarter.

The Dolphins did take a brief two point lead in the fourth, but the Bearcats responded with timely baskets down the stretch, including back-to-back jumpers in the final two minutes by Daniela Zirpolo to go ahead, 71-69.

Ibelhaupt connected on one of two free throws to grow the lead to 72-69 with nine seconds left, but a bank shot three by Jacquelyn Cali dramatically tied the game with three seconds left.

The Bearcats regrouped on a timeout and on an inbound play in front of the team bench a perfectly-placed Melinda Spahiu pass found Ibehaupt for the winning basket with 0.5 seconds left.

The Bearcats defended the inbounds play by Staten Island for the terrific 74-72 home win.

The team will enjoy the excitement tonight but quickly return to action on Saturday in the CUNYAC Tournament Quarterfinals. The Bearcats, as the sixth seed, will play these same third-seeded Staten Island Dolphins at 1:00 p.m away.

Prior to tonight's contest, the team honored Samantha Genco and Niheala Ross on playing in their final regular season home game.