York College

JAMAICA, NY– York College senior center Marcel Esonwune turned in 31 points, 17 rebounds and four blocks in a dominant performance but it would not be enough to lift the Cardinals to victory, as York committed 31 turnovers and fell to arch-rival Brooklyn College 75-71 Wednesday evening. 

York shot 57 percent from the field, compared to just 36 percent for the Bulldogs and out-rebounded Brooklyn by a 45-29 margin, but the Bulldogs benefitted from a +21 turnover differential.  Brooklyn converted the York turnovers into 30 points on the night. 

Despite the turnover problems that plagued York throughout the game, the Cardinals still held a 57-50 advantage with 9:24 to play in the game.  After a lay-up by Brooklyn's Tyshawn Russell cut the lead to five, Brooklyn got back-to-back steals ,which they converted into points, cutting the lead to 57-56. 

A few minutes later, the Bulldogs would take the lead after Amil John stole the ball, made a lay-up and was fouled.  He converted the three-point play to give Brooklyn a 61-59 lead with 6:43 to play.   Brooklyn would not relinquish the lead the rest of the way.

York had it chances to tie the game or take the lead in the final minute of play.  York had possession, trailing by two points (73-71), with 22 seconds remaining, when David Simon attempted a go-ahead three-pointer.  The shot was off the mark and Brooklyn grabbed the rebound. 

The Bulldogs Kavon Baker was sent to the line after a foul but he missed both free throws and gave York another chance.  After a timeout by York, the Cardinals inbounded the ball underneath their own basket.  The ball was tipped on the inbounda pass and hit back off Kevin Lausell, who was throwing in the ball, and then fell out of bounds, giving the ball back to Brooklyn with five seconds remaining.  Russell was then fouled and he made both free throws to seal the victory for the Bulldogs.

Russell matched Esonwune in the scoring column, netting 31 points, while also nabbing seven steals.  John added 24 points for Brooklyn as the two combined to score 55 of the teams' 75 points.   For York, Shamir Wilkinson recorded a career-high 21 points, while also pulling down ten rebounds.

The loss drops York to 3-10, 1-2 in the CUNYAC, while Brooklyn improves to 6-5, 2-1 in the CUNYAC.  York will look to get back on track when they visit Purchase College on Saturday at 1:00 p.m.