JAMAICA, N.Y.- The York College men's basketball team suffered a heartbreaking loss on Thursday night. The Cardinals were taken down by John Jay College, 80-77, on Military Appreciation Night at York College.
York (6-18) shot to the tune of 33% in the first half and dug themselves into a nine point-deficit after the first half of play. The second half would be better for the Cardinals as they shot 47%, thrusting themselves back into the game.
Jean Joseph was a force coming off the bench for the Cardinals; Joseph ended the night with a double-double, 23 points and 11 rebounds.
Taishaun Forehand-Jenkins was also a key contributor for York, dishing out a game high eight assists.
Edwin Sainvil also chipped in 13 points and snatched three steals.
John Jay College (10-13) got major contributions throughout their lineup as five players finished the game scoring in double-digits. Essien Epps led the charge for the Bloodhounds as he dropped in a game-high 24 points, largely in part to a strong night from the charity stripe where he went 13-15. Kyle LaGuardia ended the night with 13 points and Eric Sandoval Jr. chipped in 14 points as both players provided major boosts off the bench.
Poor shot selection by the Cardinals put them in a deficit in the first half, while John Jay knocked down 50% of their shots in the half. A layup by
Jean Joseph gave the Cardinals their only lead of the night with 16:21 in the first half. From here it would be all John Jay as the Bloodhounds went on a 30-14 run culminated by a steal and 3-point play by Essien Epps. After Epps converted at the line, John Jay possessed their largest lead of the night at 36-21. York managed to cut the lead down to nine after a three-pointer from Malique John with 57 seconds left in the first half.
Coming out of the break, York once again fell flat, allowing the lead to reach 15 once again after a layup from Eric Sandoval Jr. The second half however, would belong to
Jean Joseph as he dropped in 15 of 22 points, as he tried to will York to a comeback victory. After a missed free throw by John Jay, Joseph willed his way into the paint dropping in a bucket to make the score 73-71 with 1:37 left to go. This was as close as the Cardinals would get in their comeback attempt.
York elected to press and trap rather than play the foul game and this resulted in John Jay getting two easy buckets on their next two possessions. After an offensive foul from
Jean Joseph, York had to foul and Essien Epps went to the line and made it a six-point game.
Reggie Outlaw then proceeded to hit his only three pointer of the game with 23 seconds left to put York down three. The trap finally worked on the ensuing inbounds as John Jay turned the ball over, giving York another shot.
Jean Joseph would be fouled making one of two from the line, as would Jordan Aiken of John Jay who also made one of two from the line.
Reggie Outlaw had a chance to tie the game, but his three pointer was short and John Jay grabbed the 80-77 victory.
York will look to get a different result when they hit the hardwood at home against Brooklyn College in their final game of the regular season.
