JAMAICA, NY --- (www.YORKATHLETICS.com) York College women's basketball outlasted the Medgar Evers College Cougars (2-13, 2-7 CUNYAC) Friday evening to produce their first win of the 2024-25 campaign. Behind an expertly executed zone defense, the Cardinals triumphed 45-44 in a CUNYAC battle inside York College Gymnasium. 

How it Happened

• Alicia Gumbs started the scoring with a layup eight seconds into the first quarter.
• The Cougars gained a 4-2 advantage at the 6:51 mark following a fastbreak layup from Aaliyah Lyons. 
• Amaniyah Aiken culminated a 5-0 spurt to put York up 7-4 with 2:19 showing on the clock.
• Lyons' jumper at 1:19 closed out a 7-6 frame.
• Gumbs drained a 3-pointer to give the Cardinals a first-half high four-point edge (13-9) with 8:13 remaining in the period.
• Climbing its way back, Medgar Evers leveled the score on two separate occasions before going up 18-17 after a free throw from Nana Samake at 4:12.
• The rest of the stanza featured two ties and three lead changes, with Aiken's two freebies with seconds left on the clock giving York a 23-21 advantage at intermission.
• Knotted at 27 with 5:23 remaining in the third quarter, the Cougars went on an extended 10-4 burst over the next 4:22, opening up a game-best six-point lead (37-31).
• Gumbs' layup with 19 seconds showing on the clock trimmed the deficit to one possession (37-34) after three.
• Trailing 41-36, the Cardinals clamped down on defense, executing a massive 7-0 scoring spree to go up 43-41 with 3:10 to go.
• As both squads struggled to score, Medgar Evers regained a one-point advantage (44-43) following Jenifer Metra's free throw with 1:09 on the clock.
• Attacking the hoop, Gumbs' clutch drive gave York a 45-44 edge with 20 seconds remaining for the game-winning bucket.
• Lyons had two opportunities to win the game, but a clutch stop by Ceana Adams with 15 seconds left and a buzzer-beating 3-pointer fell short, preserving York's 45-44 victory. 

Leading the Cardinals

• Aiken towered over the Cougars in her home debut, recording a 15-point (7-of-18 FG, 2-of-4 FT), 15-rebound double-double. The forward also notched three assists and two steals.
• Gumbs added 15 points, two steals, and a team-leading two blocks. 
• Madison Plaza totaled seven points, five rebounds, and a team-high four assists. 
• Beautifull Earth displayed her activity with a team-best 12 rebounds (8 offensive) and a game-leading seven steals.

For Medgar Evers

• Lloyd led all scorers with 23 points and five assists, and also chipped in with four steals.
• Samake produced 11 points (5-of-10 FG) and nine rebounds. 
• Metra generated a double-double with 10 points and a game-high 16 rebounds.
• Ciarah Haggins blocked three shots.

Inside the Box Score
The Cardinals were 26.1 (18-of-69) percent from the floor, 17.6 percent (3-of-17) from downtown, and made six free throws. York's tough defense held Medgar Evers to 22.1 percent (17-of-77) from the field and 27.3 percent (3-of-11) from beyond the arc. The Cougars had the edge in rebounds (60-47) and blocks (3-2), while York maintained the advantage in assists (11-8). Both squads each generated 12 steals. Additionally, the Cardinals scored more in the paint (26-18) and on fast break opportunities (15-12), while Medgar Evers held a 20-14 margin in points off turnovers. 

Up Next
The Cardinals (1-14, 1-8 CUNYAC) look to keep up their momentum Tuesday (Feb. 4) with a CUNYAC joust against the City College of New York Beavers (1-13, 1-8 CUNYAC) starting a 5 p.m. from Nat Holman Gymnasium.

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