NEW YORK --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) Fifth-seeded York College women's basketball triumphed Saturday afternoon in the CUNYAC Championship first-round, defeating the fourth-seeded Baruch College Bearcats (14-12) by the final count of 68-60 on the road inside ARC Arena. Losing the two regular-season games to the Bearcats, York got payback, advancing to the semifinals against No. 1 Brooklyn College (17-7) for the second time in three seasons.  

Up Next 
The Cardinals (12-11) travel Wednesday (Feb. 22) to the West Quad Center against Brooklyn, looking to avenge a series sweep to the Bulldogs by a combined 10 points in the two regular-season showdowns.  

How it Happened

• Mia Castillo's 3-pointer at the 2:52 mark of the first-quarter punctuated an 18-5 start for Baruch.
• Mac-Dege Dessources dropped in a layup with 55 seconds left in the stanza to trim York's deficit to seven (21-14).  
• Elissa Leung's jumper with 5:28 remaining in the half pushed Baruch's lead back up to double-digits (28-18). 
• The Cardinals closed on an 11-4 burst as Ellma Hodzic's bucket with two seconds showing on the clock sliced Barcuh's advantage to 32-29.
• Trailing 36-33, York blitzed the Bearcats to end the third frame on an 11-1 charge to lead 44-37.
• During York's dominant third quarter that saw the Cardinals hold a +10 scoring advantage, Ellma Hodzic registered five blocks, including a stretch that saw her swat three shots during a 9-0 run.
• York maintained a lead of at least five points for the final 12:09 of play. 
• Alicia Gumbs converted a 3-point play for York to give the Cardinals their first double-digit edge (61-51) of the contest. 
• Gumbs closed out the 68-60 victory with two free throws with 16 seconds remaining.

"It feels great to beat baruch and advance to the semifinals. Our team played as a team today with one goal. They were focused and intense. I am very proud of them."-said head coach Kimani Jackson

Inside the Box Score
Dessources led the charge of York with a dominant performance, totaling 21 points (9-of-14 FG) and 20 rebounds (10 offensive) to post her 19th double-double of the season.  Gumbs' eight assists directed the Cardinal offense and she also finished with 13 points, six rebounds and two steals.  Kristina Sierra drilled 4-of-5 from 3-point land to finish with 12 points.  Hodzic recorded 10 points, seven points, five assists and four rebounds while Imani Gibson sparked York off the bench with 10 points (4-of-6 FG, 2-of-2 FT) and four rebounds. 

Castillo poured in 30 points (9-of-25 FG, 5-of-11 3FG, 7-of-8 FT) to lead all scorers while contributing eight rebounds, six steals, three blocks and three steals in defeat for the Bearcats.  Andre McRae chipped in 10 points and eight rebounds (six offensive).  Paige Traynor and Leung scored nine and eight points, respectively.   

York shot 44.8 percent (26-of-58) from the floor, 45.5 percent (5-of-11) from downtown and 64.7 percent (11-of-17) from the free throw line. The Cardinal defense stifled Baruch to hitting 30.8 percent (20-of-65) from the field and 33.3 percent (9-of-27) from 3-point range. Baruch also converted 78.6 percent (11-of-14) of its free-throws. 

The Cardinals dominated inside with a + 19 rebound (51-32) edge. Additionally, York held the advantage in second-chance scoring (16-6), points in the paint (40-18), and assists. The Bearcats maintained their distance as they outscored York 24-10 in points off turnovers.

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