JAMAICA, N.Y.—The York College men's basketball team rallied in the second half to defeat conference rival Brooklyn College, 80-71, in a key CUNYAC contest at the York College Gymnasium on Tuesday night.

Trailing by nine at the half, York (12-8, 7-4 CUNYAC) outscored the Bulldogs 49-31 in the second half.  Senior Du'Quan Lawson led the charge, scoring 18 points, while adding five rebounds and seven assists. Franklin Green had a game-high 20 points, including three baskets from long range and Jaron Williams recorded 16 points, seven rebounds and six assists. Cyril Reid posted 15 points, eight rebounds, and four blocks.

Brooklyn (17-5, 9-4 CUNYAC) got 15 points from Lorenzo Williams, 14 from Egzon Gjonbalaj and nine points and 11 boards from Valon Djombalic.

The Cardinals got off to a fast start, with Lawson making a pair of three-pointers to put York up 8-2.  York maintained the six-point advantage, until an 11-0 Brooklyn run—highlighted by seven points from Williams—put the Bulldogs up 24-19 with 11:08 left in the half.  The score stayed tight, with York cutting into the deficit, until Brooklyn finished the half strong, getting a dunk on a fast break from Williams and then a running jumper at the buzzer from Jai Kellman—making it 40-31 at the break.

In the second half, York got back in the game thanks to three-pointers by Green and Lawson on consecutive possessions, which made it 50-49.  After the two teams exchanged buckets, York regained the lead (52-50) when Reid connected from beyond the arc with 11:10 to go.

The score was tied at 60-60 with 5:19 left when the Cardinals caught fire, scoring nine unanswered to move ahead 69-60 with 1:47 remaining.  Rashaan Bailey started and finished the run, converting a three-point play at the start and then capping it off with another bucket.  Lawson also played a big role, setting up Williams with an easy lay-up on a nice pass, and making a pretty spin move for a basket. 

It was a big win for the Cardinals.  The victory helped keep York's hopes alive of hosting a first-round game in the CUNYAC tournament. The Cardinals sit in fifth place, but inched closer to fourth—which would give them a first-round home game.  York is tied in the loss column with fourth-place Brooklyn, with two fewer victories.

Up next for York is another big game on Friday night against the College of Staten Island.  Tip-off is set for 8 p.m. at the York College Gymnasium,