NEW YORK, N.Y.—The York College men's basketball team played tough against a talented Baruch College team, but came up a bit short on the road Friday night, losing by a score of 77-74.
 
The Cardinals never led in the game, but it would be a battle to the very end.  York trailed by as much as 14 in the first half but battled back to cut the lead to just four points (37-33) at halftime after an 18-4 run to close the half.
 
The game would remain close throughout the second half and would go down to the wire.  Trailing by six with 1:43 to play, Darren Dove drained a long three-pointer to cut the lead in half.  However, Baruch's William Sixsmith responded with a long three of his own to put his team back up by six with just over a minute to play.
 
York would not go quietly though. Taishaun Forehand-Jenkins drained a jumper from the baseline and after Baruch made one free throw, an Edwin Sainvil lay-up cut the lead to 74-71 with 18 seconds to go.
 
Baruch was fouled on its next possession and was sent to the line. The Bearcats' Chimaechi Ekekugbor had a chance to ice the game but missed both free throws, giving York one final shot to tie the game with nine seconds left.
 
Unfortunately, York turned the ball over on the in-bounds pass, setting up Ekekugbor with an easy lay-up, which put the Bearcats up by five.  The Cardinals did get a quick three by Forehand-Jenkins to cut it to two points with five seconds left, but there was not enough time for York to get off another shot.
 
Darin Dove led York in the loss with 16 points, including three buckets from long range. Ryan Smart and Edwin Sainvil each chipped in 11 points.  For Baruch, Sixsmith and Bryler Paige each had 20 points.
 
Baruch improves to 3-3, 1-0 CUNYAC, while York drops to 1-4, 0-1 CUNYAC. The Cardinals will host the College of Staten Island on Tuesday at 7:30 p.m.