Box Score
NEW YORK, NY— The York College men’s basketball team saw their five game winning streak snapped as they fell to Hunter College, 81-70, in a CUNYAC cross-over game on Wednesday night. Despite the loss, Omari Phipps (Laurleton, NY/ St. Johns Prep) and Michael Salamanca (Hollis, NY/ Cardozo) each led the Cardinals with 14 points.
The majority of the first half was tightly contested with seven lead changes taking place. With 4:15 left before halftime, a Chris Roberts (Jamaica, NY/ Springfield Gardens) jumper cut the Hawks narrow lead to just one point, 30-29. However, Hunter closed the half on a high note with a 13-0 run. Marlon Smith led the Hawks with seven points during the run helping Hunter to a 43-29 halftime advantage. That late surge would prove to be the difference in the ball game.
The Cardinals played tough in the second half, outscoring Hunter by three points, but could never significantly cut into the lead the Hawks built up before going into the locker room.
Roberts added 12 points and five rebounds, while Phipps added six boards in addition to his 14 points. Marcel Esonwune (Nigeria/ Marist Brothers) paced York with seven points and ten rebounds. Hunter’s Michael Dodd led all scorers with 19 points.
With the loss, the Cardinals fall to 14-7, 7-3 in the CUNYAC, while Hunter improves to 11-9, 8-2 in the CUNYAC. The Cardinals will return to action on Friday when they host Medgar Evers at 8 p.m.
