Men's Basketball Edges John Jay, 82-81
BOX SCORE
JAMAICA, N.Y. – The York College men's basketball team won a hard-fought, physical game over John Jay College by a score of 82-81 on Friday evening.
It was not a pretty game, with 51 combined personal fouls and 40 turnovers between the two teams but the Cardinals were able to do enough to come away with the victory.
It looked like York would run away with the game in the opening minutes, as they quickly jumped out to a 22-6 lead just a little over six minutes in.
Donald Rodriguez propelled York to the early lead, draining three shots from long range and also converting a three-point play during the opening stretch.
But the Cardinals fortune would change quickly as the Bloodhounds stifled York for the next ten minutes, opening up a 25-6 run to take a 31-28 lead with 5:27 to play in the opening half. They would hold on for a 42-39 lead at the half.
John Jay held a narrow lead for most of the second half but foul trouble would eventually doom the Bloodhounds. Three players fouled out, including two starters and that would prove difficult to overcome. The Cardinals went to the line an astounding 44 times on the evening—and although they only converted 27 of those, the sheer volume of free throws gave the Cardinals the edge down the stretch.
All those free throws helped York finally pull back ahead with 52 seconds left, when a pair of
Tony Vails free throws gave York an 81-79 lead. York later added another free throw to take a three-point lead but John Jay had a chance to tie with eight seconds left.
On an in-bounds pass, John Jay's Isaiah Holman found himself all alone from beyond the arc but his shot hit off the rim. The Bloodhounds Kris Owens was there for the put-back to cut the lead to 82-81 with just two seconds remaining. A quick foul sent York to the line again with 1 second remaining. York missed both free throws and John Jay came up with the rebound with 0.7 seconds to play. However, on the ensuing in-bounds pass, John Jay could not get off a shot and the Cardinals came away with the win.
York was led by Vails, who finished with 25 points, with 11 of those coming from the free throw line. Rodriguez had the best game of his York career, finishing with 20 points.
Shamir Wilkinson added 11 points and ten boards and
Jose Arroyo had ten points and seven rebounds.
Thomas Hart finished with 11 points.
Jamar Harry led the Bloodhounds with a game-high 26 points, while also grabbing 11 rebounds. Holman finished with 15 points and Michael Howard chipped in 12.
York improves to 6-6, 2-2 in the CUNYAC, while John Jay drops to 6-4, 3-1 in the CUNYAC. The Cardinals will return to action on Tuesday with a road game again
