Marcel Esonwune recorded his first career double-double (photo by Verity Rollins)
York Rally Falls Short Against Brooklyn College
Box Score
JAMAICA, NY— The York College men’s basketball team lost to Brooklyn College, 83-74, in their City University of New York Athletic Conference opener. The Cardinals nearly overcame a 23-point halftime deficit but fell just short in the end.
The Cardinals struggled in the first half committing 23 turnovers which the Bridges converted into 23 points. Brooklyn’s Daniel Nisbit scored 20 of his 35 points in the first half to lead Brooklyn.
However York would turn up their play in the second half. With 4:05 remaining, Brooklyn still had a comfortable 71-59 lead until the Cardinals went on a furious rally over the next two minutes and trailed just 75-72 with 1:31 left to play. York got three-pointers from Nahum Verna (Port-au-Prince, Haiti/ Hillcrest) and Rodney Bennett (Corona, NY/ Chaparral) and a three-point play by Chris Roberts (Jamaica, NY/ Springfield Gardens) to highlight a 16-4 run. The Cardinals could not get any closer, however, as several of their key players fouled out down the stretch and the Bridges were able to extend their lead to nine points as time expired.
Roberts and Omari Phipps (Laurelton, NY/ St. Johns Prep) each scored a team-high 17 points and Marcel Esonwune (Nigeria/ Marist Brothers) recorded a double-double, scoring 15 points and grabbing 13 boards.
York (5-4, 0-1 CUNYAC) will visit Medgar Evers on Thursday at 7:30 p.m.
